Trump pauses tariff on imported beef with pushback from ranchers, some America First advocates

Until now, different countries have had different quotas imposed on them for beef imports. Beef within that quota is generally tariffed at 4.4 cents per kilogram. After the quota is met, beef from that country is tariffed at 26.4%. The president is waiving the out-of-quota rate for 300,000 metric tons of beef imports, according to the post, though no additional details were provided on which countries or companies were involved in the deal.

The move has spurred adverse reactions from cattle ranchers and lawmakers from more rural states. Critics have said it likely won’t reduce prices much anyway, since as the New York Times reported, more than 80% of the beef consumed in the U.S. is produced on American soil, and it’s an historically smaller herd that’s more directly contributing to higher prices.

Direct-to-consumer meat delivery company Good Ranchers, which sells only American beef, responded to the news on X, formerly Twitter.

“We understand why beef prices are a problem right now. Ground beef is averaging $6.89 a pound, up 57% since 2021, and that's real pressure on American families,” the company wrote. “But flooding the market with 300,000 metric tons of imported ground beef with no tariff for 90 days is not a solution for American ranchers. It's a short-term price fix that puts more downward pressure on the cattle producers who are already struggling to stay viable.”

“We will continue to source 100% American. That is not changing,” the post concluded.

A February report from the American Farm Bureau Federation noted that the American cattle herd is at a 75-year-low, numbers National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall alluded to in a statement issued Friday.

“Cattle farmers and ranchers are responding to strong market signals and historically high demand, and we are already working to rebuild after years of ongoing drought, high input costs and other challenges that have reduced U.S. cattle numbers,” Woodall said. “Today’s announcement and other market interventions throw cold water on the prospect of herd expansion and sacrifices long-term stability for short term messaging.”

Others, like conservative commentator and health and wellness podcaster Alex Clark, have questioned how the president’s decision reflects an America First ethos, as well as suggesting other potential reforms that would help bring down the cost of American beef.

“If President Trump wants to lower beef prices for Americans in a truly America First AND MAHA way then THIS should be the game plan,” she wrote on X.

She promoted expanding local processing and direct sales through Congress passing Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie’s Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act, requiring country-of-origin labeling and several other measures.

The White House has said the president will sign an executive order temporarily lifting the beef tariff in the coming weeks.