Trump increases imports of Argentine meat by 80 thousand tons to try to curb prices in the USA

Price of meat in a supermarket in Los Angeles, on May 27, 2022. Reuters The President of the United States, Donald Trump, signed this Friday (6) a decree to temporarily increase imports of Argentine beef with reduced tariffs. 📱Download the g1 app to see news in real time and for free The text determines an increase of 80 thousand metric tons in the product’s import quota in 2026. The measure only applies to lean beef trimmings specifically from the South American country. 🥩 Lean trimmings are smaller flaps of low-fat meat. The pieces are usually left over from the boning and cutting of larger pieces of beef. The new decision, which aims to make food cheaper, comes amid criticism of the Trump administration for rising costs of living, an issue that helped drive electoral victories for Democratic candidates in 2025. See the trending videos on g1: See the trending videos on g1 Beef prices reached record levels in the US last year, driven by strong demand and a drop in cattle supply. The scenario benefited livestock farmers — who largely supported Trump — but increased pressure on consumers. “As President of the United States, I have a responsibility to ensure that American workers are able to feed themselves and their families,” Trump said in his executive order. According to the Republican, the measure was taken after conversations with the American Secretary of Agriculture and aims to increase the supply of ground beef to US consumers. Economists interviewed by Reuters, however, say that the increase in imports of Argentine products should be unable to significantly reduce costs for Americans. Those who tend to benefit, in fact, are food companies. Meanwhile, representatives of the livestock sector — who had already expressed opposition to similar decisions — criticized the measure. “Instead of imports that harm American ranchers, we should focus on solutions that reduce bureaucracy, lower production costs and support the expansion of our herd,” said Republican Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska, a major cattle-producing state. In total, the US imported around 33,000 metric tons of Argentine beef in 2024, which represented 2% of total imports, according to government data. Trade agreement and exploration of critical minerals On Thursday (5), the USA and Argentina signed a trade agreement with tariff reductions and a reciprocal investment plan. The understanding also covers critical materials, in line with Trump’s strategy of reducing dependence on China — currently dominant in the production and refining of these essential inputs for technology, energy and defense. According to the text, there will be US cooperation and investments across the entire sector chain in Argentina — from exploration to refining, processing and export. North American ambassador and trade negotiator Jamieson Greer announced the agreement after meeting with Argentina’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, Pablo Quirno. “The deepening partnership between President Trump and President Milei serves as a model for how countries across the Americas, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, can advance our shared ambitions and protect our economic and national security,” said Greer. According to the American trade representative, the agreement “reduces long-standing trade barriers and offers significant market access for US exporters.” The expectation, he added, is to expand businesses ranging from motor vehicles to agricultural products. The document released by the US government indicates that the agreement does not enter into force at the time of signing. It becomes valid 60 days after the exchange of written notifications confirming the completion of internal legal procedures — or on another date that the countries agree on. After coming into force, the agreement foresees that Argentina will eliminate tariffs or reduce them to around 2% on thousands of US products, in addition to opening exempt quotas for strategic items, such as 80 thousand tons of beef and 10 thousand vehicles. In return, the US will eliminate tariffs on selected Argentine agricultural products and limit any surcharges to a ceiling of 10% on other goods. The commercial opening also foresees the end of the Argentine statistical tax — a charge on imports to pay for customs services — within three years. Tariff reductions will be gradual, applied every year on January 1st. In an official note, Javier Milei’s government celebrated the agreement and stated that the text consolidates a “strategic relationship” between the countries, based on economic openness, clear rules for international exchange and “a modern vision of commercial complementarity”. “The signing of this agreement, achieved thanks to President Javier G. Milei’s vision of openness and regional integration, and his excellent relationship with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, is yet another pillar that allows Argentina to once again become part of the Western world”, says the statement. Other investments In addition to critical minerals, the Agreement between the United States and the Argentine Republic on Reciprocal Trade and Investment (ARTI) expands access for American investments to other strategic sectors of the Argentine economy. Among them: Energy: facilitating contributions across the entire chain, from exploration and production to refining, transport and electrical generation, with a focus on energy security and industrialization. Infrastructure: with investments in telecommunications, transport and logistics, including shipbuilding and navigation. Technology and communications: opening up contributions to information and communications infrastructure, such as 5G and 6G networks, satellites and submarine cables. Capital goods: facilitating the entry of machinery and equipment, including used and remanufactured ones, for construction, agriculture, mining and health. Defense: with simplification and expansion of trade and industrial cooperation in the sector. Financing: with the possibility of support from US agencies, such as EXIM Bank and DFC, in partnership with the private sector. Conversations with Brazil Reuters revealed that Brazil participated in a meeting in the USA, on Wednesday (4), in which the North American vice-president, JD Vance, presented plans to bring together allies in a trading bloc for critical minerals. The Brazilian government is still evaluating whether it will join the group, the agency found. Itamaraty confirmed to Reuters that Brazil was present at the meeting through the Embassy in Washington, but did not say whether the country would be able to join the initiative or how possible participation would take place. A Brazilian government source told the agency that the country is open to partnerships, as long as they bring added value. According to this source, due to the scale of the issue, the issue needs to be addressed bilaterally, and a decision will not be taken quickly.

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