President Trump announced Friday that he will suspend higher tariffs on imported beef for a 90-day period, permitting up to 300,000 tonnes to enter the United States without paying the typical out-of-quota tariff rates. The move aims to lower ground beef prices for American consumers, with Trump stating on social media that imported beef will be sold at 25 percent below current market prices. The president framed the initiative as benefiting both consumers and the domestic cattle industry, claiming it would reduce prices while allowing the American beef herd to expand.
Trump did not identify the country or companies involved in the arrangement when making the announcement. A White House official told Al Jazeera that the president will sign an executive order formalizing the agreement within a two-week timeframe. According to the official, foreign beef exporters have agreed to provide the discount to be passed to American consumers in exchange for the tariff relief.
Ground beef prices have climbed significantly during Trump’s second term. Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the price per pound at $5.55 when Trump returned to office earlier this year, rising to $6.89 in July—a 24 percent increase since he took office. Trump attributed high beef prices to his predecessor’s administration, claiming prices rose rapidly under former President Joe Biden and that the American cattle herd fell to historic lows.
The announcement arrives ahead of pivotal midterm elections this November, where cost-of-living concerns are expected to influence voter behavior significantly. Recent polling indicated that Democrats hold an advantage over Republicans on handling the cost of living, while Trump’s approval ratings on both the cost of living and inflation management remain low at 23 and 22 percent respectively.
The proposal faced criticism from within Republican ranks. US Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana, a Trump ally, opposed the tariff waiver, arguing it would harm cattle ranching families and American agricultural groups who have struggled against market consolidation for decades. Factors contributing to high beef prices include low cattle herd numbers—the smallest since the 1950s—Trump’s existing tariffs on imported beef, and border restrictions on live cattle imports related to screwworm disease concerns.
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