U.S. Ranchers Urge Trump to Halt Argentine Beef Purchase Plans

American cattle ranchers are urging the Trump administration to abandon plans to purchase beef from Argentina. This demand comes as President Donald Trump argues that importing Argentine beef could help lower rising prices in U.S. grocery stores. Ranchers, however, have criticized this approach, claiming it is misguided and unlikely to alleviate grocery costs.

Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), expressed strong opposition to the administration’s proposal. In a recent statement, he emphasized, “The NCBA and its members cannot stand behind the President while he undercuts the future of family farmers and ranchers by importing Argentinian beef in an attempt to influence prices.” He further urged Trump and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to allow the cattle markets to function without interference.

The issue of beef prices in the United States has become a significant concern, with costs reaching record highs this year. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), beef prices rose by 13.9% in August compared to the previous year and are projected to increase by 11.6% for the entire year.

Trump’s remarks about considering beef imports from Argentina were made on Air Force One and sparked immediate backlash from U.S. ranchers. The rift widened when he noted that Argentine President Javier Milei is an ally, and the two countries recently entered a $20 billion financial bailout agreement. This agreement has drawn criticism from American farmers, particularly soybean growers, who feel the financial support undermines their competitiveness in the Chinese market.

The concern among ranchers is further compounded by statistics indicating that Argentina exported over $801 million worth of beef to the U.S., while American beef sales to Argentina amounted to merely $7 million. In response to the criticism, Trump stated on his social media platform that U.S. ranchers “don’t understand that the only reason they are doing so well” is due to his tariffs. “If it weren’t for me, they would be doing just as they’ve done for the past 20 years — Terrible!” he asserted.

In light of the ongoing controversy, the USDA announced measures aimed at promoting and protecting American beef, including a voluntary Country of Origin Labeling program. Nevertheless, ranchers have voiced that these efforts fall short of addressing their needs. The advocacy organization Farm Action is calling for mandatory country of origin labeling and investigations into the so-called Big Four meatpackers, claiming they exert control over beef pricing rather than U.S. ranchers.

“Ranchers need support to rebuild their herds — that’s how we truly increase beef supply and lower prices long-term,” Farm Action stated. The organization criticized current policies that they believe favor foreign competitors and corporate monopolies over American farmers.

In a similar vein, Wyoming’s Meriwether Farms has urged Trump to utilize his executive powers to implement mandatory country of origin labeling. Their statement reflects the broader sentiment among ranchers who feel that the USDA’s recent initiatives do not adequately address the challenges they face in the current market environment.

As the debate over beef imports continues, the future of American ranchers and their livelihoods remains uncertain, highlighting the complex dynamics of agricultural policy and international trade.