Trump Expands Beef Imports in Bid to Ease Record-High Prices

President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation to temporarily increase imports of lean beef trimmings at a reduced tariff rate, a move aimed at tackling what the White House describes as 'unreasonably' high beef prices for American consumers.

The order, effective September 1 and lasting for 90 days, expands the volume of trimmings eligible for the lower tariff by 300,000 metric tons. These trimmings are intended to be blended with US beef for ground beef production, and the White House has encouraged the product to be sold at a 25% discount.

The decision has drawn strong opposition from US farm and ranch groups. The American Farm Bureau Federation, the nation's top farm lobby, had previously written to the President, warning that the lower rate would 'undermine America's ranchers.'

US consumers have faced record-high beef prices this year, driven by drought and wildfires that have pushed cattle supplies to a 75-year low. The administration has also faced pressure from livestock import restrictions imposed on Mexico to combat the spread of New World screwworm, though a phased reopening of some southern border livestock ports began this week.

This is not the first such action by the administration. In February, a similar expansion of lower-tariff imports for Argentinian beef was also met with criticism from ranchers.