Democrats Warn Argentine Beef Imports Could Disrupt Tight US Cattle Markets

Trump said in October that his administration was considering buying beef from Argentina to help reduce grocery prices.

Beef meat at a grocery store in Elkridge, Md., on Oct. 24, 2025. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

Fifty House Democrats urged the Trump administration on Nov. 10 to reconsider a plan to increase beef imports from Argentina, warning the move could destabilize domestic cattle markets at a time of tight supplies.

The group, led by Rep. Shontel Brown (D-Ohio) and Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.), said recent comments from the administration about lowering prices through imports have already impacted producers.

U.S. beef prices have climbed to record levels in recent months. A multi-year drought and reduced imports from Mexico due to a flesh-eating pest infecting cattle herds there have pushed the national cattle inventory to its lowest point in decades.

Trump said in October that his administration was considering buying beef from Argentina to help reduce grocery prices and give families relief while the domestic herd recovers.

“In recent weeks, the President’s repeated statements about lowering U.S. beef prices by importing more beef from Argentina have destabilized U.S. cattle markets,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter. They said the market impact has been felt even before any changes take effect.

The administration said last month that it supports increasing the tariff-rate quota for Argentine beef. Officials say the change could help ease grocery prices, which remain elevated after several years of drought, higher feed costs, and a reduced national cattle herd.

The lawmakers from the Democratic Party questioned the effectiveness of new imports, writing that “the only thing that this has done is introduce uncertainty into the marketplace and cost American cattle producers money.”

Brown, Costa, and the other signatories said the industry needs predictability as herds rebuild and markets adjust.

“The path to rebuilding herds and stabilizing prices is straightforward; it requires time, sound policy, and partnership with producers to grow domestic supply,” they wrote. The lawmakers said the administration should avoid actions that could disrupt that process.

Framework Trade Deal With Argentina

On Nov. 13, the United States finalized framework trade agreements with Argentina, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Ecuador.

The previously announced U.S. reciprocal tariffs will remain the same under these agreements. Goods from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Argentina will continue to face a 10 percent U.S. tariff because the United States has modest trade surpluses with these countries, according to a senior administration official.

The official said beef imports from Argentina fall under the existing quota system. Once those quotas are filled, a 25 percent tariff applies, which is set by Congress. For now, the administration plans to let the market determine the amount of beef imported, according to a senior administration official.

The White House issued joint statements with each country outlining frameworks for reciprocal trade agreements.

According to the U.S.–Argentina joint statement, Argentina has agreed to open its market to U.S. live cattle, committed to allowing market access for U.S. poultry within one year, and agreed not to restrict market access for goods that use certain cheese and meat terms.

Argentina agreed to “simplify product registration processes for U.S. beef, beef products, beef offal, and pork products, and will not apply facility registration for imports of U.S. dairy products,” the statement reads.

In an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the administration is trying to balance support for ranchers with price relief for consumers.

“President Trump pledged to protect America’s ranchers and deliver economic relief for everyday Americans,” she wrote.

“The Administration is accomplishing both by expanding beef imports from Argentina to lower consumer prices in the short term while rolling out a new USDA initiative that will support ranchers and expand cattle herd sizes to keep prices lower in the long term.”

The White House also noted that the USDA launched a new initiative to expand domestic cattle herd sizes and support U.S. ranchers as the administration increases the tariff-rate quota for Argentine beef to 80,000 metric tons.

Republicans raised similar concerns about beef imports last month.

In an October 22 letter, Rep. Troy Downing (R-Mont.), Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-N.D.), and six other GOP members urged the administration to avoid policy changes that could undercut U.S. ranchers, calling for trade decisions to be made with “full transparency, sound science, and a firm commitment to the U.S. cattle industry.”

The letters reflect growing scrutiny from both parties as Congress heads into year-end discussions on agriculture and appropriations. Lawmakers in both parties say cattle producers are facing tight inventories, high input costs, and market volatility.

Democrats say they will continue monitoring the issue as Congress moves toward further debate on agricultural programs and rural development.

The Epoch Times reached out to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for comment on the letter from Democrats, but did not hear back by publication time.

Emel Akan contributed to this report.