Trump Has an Idea for Lowering Beef Prices Will buy beef from Argentina

President Trump announced that the United States may purchase beef from Argentina in an effort to reduce prices for American consumers. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, he said, “We would buy some beef from Argentina. If we do that, that will bring our beef prices down.”

The president made the remarks just days after promising to tackle rising beef costs as part of his broader strategy to keep inflation under control. U.S. beef prices have stayed elevated due to multiple factors, including drought conditions and reduced imports from Mexico, where a flesh-eating pest has affected cattle herds.

President Trump has also been working closely with Argentina to support its struggling economy, arranging a $20 billion credit swap line and additional financing from sovereign funds and private investors. The initiative aims to stabilize Argentina’s collapsing currency ahead of midterm elections for his ally, President Javier Milei. The White House has emphasized that this support is not a bailout, countering criticism from political opponents.

While the move could help modestly ease beef prices, analysts say the overall impact may be limited. Only about 2% of U.S. beef imports currently come from Argentina—roughly 33,000 metric tons in the first half of this year—subject to a 26.4% tariff after exceeding a 20,000-ton quota. By comparison, Brazil exports nearly ten times as much beef to the U.S., but faces even higher tariffs.

Last week, President Trump acknowledged that beef prices remain “a little bit higher than we want them,” adding that they should begin to come down soon. The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association responded in a statement, noting that “America’s ranchers have weathered years of rising input costs, drought, and market shifts with unwavering resilience. Today’s beef prices are a direct reflection of these challenges.”

original source