The plan would allow up to 300,000 metric tons of beef for ground products to enter tariff-free over the next 90 days
President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that the US will temporarily allow more beef imports without tariffs as the administration tries to lower rising ground beef prices.
The plan would allow up to 300,000 metric tons of beef for ground products to be imported over the next 90 days. Trump said exporters have committed to selling the beef 25% below current market prices, with the savings expected to pass on to consumers.
The move comes as beef sales volumes fell 0.3% over a 13-week period that included Memorial Day and July Fourth, a sign that soaring prices may be driving consumers away from beef.
The cattle industry criticized the move, warning that cheaper imports could hurt ranchers and weaken efforts to rebuild the domestic herd. According to a US beef industry association, the plan doesn’t address the real issue: the size of America’s beef herd.
Beef prices have climbed as the number of US cattle remains near historic lows. The herd rose slightly to 94.2 million cattle and calves in July, its first annual increase since 2018.
The White House plans to authorize the imports through an executive order within two weeks.