Trump Follows Through on Argentine Beef Imports as Cattle Groups Stay Wary

Following through on an announcement made in October, President Donald Trump on Friday last week signed a proclamation to increase imports of beef from Argentina.

The proclamation, reported by Reuters, will allow an additional 80,000 metric tons of lean beef trimmings per year to be imported tariff-free from Argentina, according to the White House. The beef will be allocated as 20,000 metric tons per quarter.

The U.S. will have the opportunity to export up to the same amount of beef to Argentina, according to a press statement from the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, having the same quarterly volume parameters without the lean-trim limitation. This new quota is in addition to Argentina’s existing 20,000 metric ton tariff-rate quota.

Groups from the beef and larger agricultural industry have responded to the proclamation.

American Farm Bureau Federation

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is the nation’s largest farmer-run organization and serves farmers in all 50 states.

“There are inherent risks to the U.S. beef and cattle market anytime beef imports are increased,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said in a statement shared with Successful Farming®. “We’re pleased markets didn’t react severely, as happened last fall. We appreciate that this may be the result of the careful structuring of the import plan, accompanied by reciprocal access. Our members would be deeply concerned should future intervention efforts be announced that undermine the health of the U.S. cattle industry.”