Workers arrange meat at the H&H meat-packing plant in Buenos Aires on 5 December 2025. uis Robayo/AFP/Getty ImagesWorkers arrange meat at the H&H meat-packing plant in Buenos Aires on 5 December 2025. uis Robayo/AFP/Getty ImagesTrump signs proclamation to increase US imports of beef from ArgentinaInitial announcement sparked fury from US cattle ranchers as economists say change will have little impact on pricesDonald Trump on Friday signed a proclamation to hike the US’s low-tariff imports of Argentine beef, though economists have said the attempt to lower costs for US consumers will likely have little impact on prices. A White House official said in October that Trump would make such a move, evoking fury from the nation’s cattle ranchers. Trump has faced pressure to address the issue of affordability, which helped propel Democratic candidates to several electoral victories in 2025. US beef prices set record highs last year, benefiting ranchers who largely supported Trump, due to strong consumer demand and declining cattle supplies. Ranchers slashed the herd to its lowest level in 75 years as of 1 January following a persistent drought that burned up pastures used for grazing and hiked feeding costs, according to US data. Trump’s decision to raise the tariff rate quota on Argentine beef by 80,000 metric tons will let Argentina ship more of its beef to the US at a lower rate of duty.
