- President Donald Trump announced that 300,000 metric tons, or roughly 660 million pounds, of ground beef will be imported into the United States over the next 90 days to lower food costs, with the beef sold at 25% below current market prices.
- The average price of ground beef climbed to $6.89 per pound last month, partly due to the U.S. cattle supply shrinking to its lowest level in over six decades.
- A White House official stated that the commitment for the discount came from foreign beef exporters, but noted that retailers control prices, raising uncertainty about the guarantee.
- Trump is expected to sign an executive order authorizing the tariff-free imports within the next two weeks.
- The National Cattlemen's Beef Association expressed disappointment over Trump's announcement, stating that the move 'sacrifices long-term stability for short term messaging.'
- Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, stated that while cattle producers aim to keep groceries affordable, flooding the market with below-market beef is not the solution to rebuild the American cattle herd.
President Trump has announced a plan to import 300,000 metric tons (approximately 660 million pounds) of tariff-free ground beef over the next 90 days to combat rising food costs. The beef is expected to be sold at 25% below current market prices.1
The average price of ground beef recently reached $6.89 per pound, driven by a significant decline in the U.S. cattle supply, which is at its lowest in over six decades due to factors like drought and high feed costs. Trump stated, "we have a commitment that this beef will be sold at 25 percent below current market prices."23
A White House official confirmed that the commitment to the price reduction comes from foreign beef exporters, but it remains uncertain how these discounts will be guaranteed to consumers, as retailers ultimately set prices. The official noted, "This short-term action allows foreign imports to fill a gap to meet domestic ground beef demand at affordable prices."45
However, the announcement has drawn criticism from the cattle industry. Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, expressed disappointment, stating, "flooding the market with government-subsidized, below-market beef is not the way to rebuild the American cattle herd." Trump is expected to sign an executive order to authorize these imports within the next two weeks.678
“The National Cattlemen's Beef Association called the move 'short-term messaging' that 'sacrifices long-term stability,' while a White House official admitted retailers, not exporters, set prices, leaving the 25% discount guarantee uncertain. Trump plans to sign an executive order within two weeks.”
WBAL-TV
