ARGENTINA – A proclamation temporarily expanding tariff-free beef imports from Argentina to US was on Friday signed by Donald Trump, aimed at addressing supply shortages and keeping ground beef prices affordable, according to the White House.

The measure allows an additional 80,000 metric tons (about 176 million pounds) of lean beef trimmings per year from Argentina to enter the US duty-free, allocated in four quarterly tranches of 20,000 metric tons (about 44 million pounds) each.

The White House said the secretary of agriculture, in consultation with the US trade representative, will continue monitoring domestic lean beef supplies and imports and recommend further action if necessary to ensure adequate availability.

The decision comes as the US cattle herd fell to a record low of 86.2 million heads as of January 2026, with beef cow inventories down 8.6% since 2020, according to the statement.

Years of drought and widespread wildfires have reduced grazing land and feed supplies, while restrictions on cattle imports from Mexico following detections of New World screwworm have further constrained domestic production, it said.

“As a result, ground beef prices reached an average of $6.69 per pound in December 2025, the highest level since tracking began in the 1980s,” the statement added.

The US is the world’s largest beef consumer by volume and ranks second globally in per capita consumption, underscoring beef’s importance to American diets, the White House said.

The administration said it is also pursuing broader measures to support ranchers and lower costs for families, including tax cuts enacted in July 2025 and steps announced in October 2025 to strengthen the beef industry.

In December 2025, Trump signed an executive order aimed at combating price fixing and anti-competitive practices in food markets, the statement said.

The White House reiterated its commitment to supporting cattle producers while ensuring affordable beef for consumers.