The White House announced Thursday that President Donald J. Trump has signed a proclamation aimed at easing ground beef shortages and lowering prices for American consumers.
The move temporarily increases the amount of lean beef trimmings that can enter the United States tariff-free to supplement tight domestic supplies.
Under the proclamation, the United States will allow an additional 80,000 metric tons of lean beef trimmings per year from Argentina. The imports will arrive in four quarterly tranches of 20,000 metric tons each.
The administration says the action responds to mounting supply pressures in the beef market. The U.S. cattle herd has fallen to a record low of 86.2 million head as of January, with beef cow inventory down 8.6% since 2020.
Officials cited years of drought and widespread wildfires that damaged grazing land and reduced feed supplies, forcing ranchers to cut production. Restrictions on cattle imports from Mexico, imposed to prevent the spread of New World Screwworm, have also tightened feedlot supplies.
As a result, ground beef prices climbed to an average of $6.69 per pound in December, the highest level since tracking began in the 1980s.
The White House noted that the United States remains the world’s largest consumer of beef by volume, making affordability a key concern for families.
The proclamation directs the Secretary of Agriculture, working with the U.S. Trade Representative, to monitor domestic beef supplies and imports and recommend further action if needed.
The administration framed the move as a short-term step while continuing to support American ranchers. Officials pointed to recent tax cuts, actions to strengthen the beef industry, and efforts to curb price fixing and anti-competitive behavior in food markets.
The White House said the goal is to ensure a steady supply of affordable ground beef for consumers while helping ranchers remain profitable during ongoing market challenges.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].