Overview
- Trump’s Feb. 6 executive order adds 80,000 metric tons of Argentine lean beef trimmings to the 2026 tariff‑rate quota, allocated entirely to Argentina and released in four quarterly tranches starting Feb. 13.
- Press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the move a minor, temporary step to help consumers while vowing to protect U.S. ranchers as herds are rebuilt after drought.
- Experts estimate the added volume equals about 0.6% of U.S. beef supply and is unlikely to meaningfully lower prices, with average ground beef at about $6.69 per pound in December.
- Producer groups and lawmakers warned of potential pressure on domestic returns and raised biosecurity and traceability concerns tied to Argentine imports, urging stronger inspection safeguards.
- USDA data show all cattle and calves at roughly 86.2 million head on Jan. 1, 2026, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins cited an annual consumption of about 12 million metric tons versus roughly 10 million produced domestically.