Trump raises low-tariff imports of Argentine beef

Donald Trump on Friday signed a proclamation to increase the US’s low-tariff imports of Argentine beef, a move economists say will likely have little effect on consumer prices. A White House official said in October that Trump would make such a move, a prospect that evoked fury from the nation’s cattle ranchers.

The proclamation raises the tariff-rate quota on Argentine beef by 80,000 metric tons, allowing Argentina to ship more beef to the US at a lower rate of duty. The increase applies only to lean beef trimmings, which are blended with domestic supplies to make hamburger meat.

The US imported about 33,000 metric tons of Argentine beef in 2024, representing 2% of total imports. Economists say the added imports will probably be too small to significantly lower grocery prices but could help improve margins for food companies.

United States