Following President Trump’s recent comments that his administration plans to import beef from Argentina to lower retail prices for U.S. consumers, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall issued a statement saying that such a plan would create “more instability and uncertainly” for U.S. beef producers.
“We know America’s families face challenges when food prices rise, but it’s important for President Trump to remember that farmers are facing an economic storm as well, and a vibrant U.S. cattle herd is at stake,” said Duvall. “Many of America’s beef farmers have operated in the red for several years. Adverse weather and low prices drove cattle herds down to levels not seen in decades. Weakened cattle prices are the last thing needed in farm country, where farmers are being paid historically low prices for crops across the board while expenses remain high.
“We urge the administration to carefully consider the damage importing more beef and cattle from other countries will have as cattle farmers decide whether to invest in rebuilding America’s herds,” added Duvall. “Just the mention of beef imports created more instability and uncertainty for America’s farmers. Flooding markets with foreign-grown beef could affect our nation’s ability to be food independent in the long-term.”
Other ag leaders have also spoken against President Trump’s comments regarding a plan to reduce beef prices through increased beef imports from Argentina.
“We’re extremely disappointed with the President’s comments and his approach,” Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), told Hoosier Ag Today. “[The U.S.] has the highest quality beef that’s ever been produced in the history of this industry. We are finally get paid for that quality, and in essence, the President basically told us to go pound sand.”
In addition to telling reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday of a plan to buy beef from Argentina, Trump has also recently agreed to give Argentina a $20 billion bailout as a show of support to their President Javier Milei as their country faces an economic crisis and a collapsing peso.