President Donald Trump has a new plan to import cattle from Argentina, and it’s causing a beef with American ranchers and Republican lawmakers.
On Sunday, while talking with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump proposed the idea of buying beef from Argentina to help support the South American country’s struggling economy and to lower rising meat prices domestically.
But with U.S. ranchers suddenly facing the prospect of Argentina undercutting their cattle, many Republicans — and many ranchers — are wondering what happened to Trump’s “America First” mantra.
On Tuesday night, eight House Republicans wrote a letter to Trump warning that they’d heard “strong concerns” from cattle producers in recent days.
“While we recognize the importance of strong trade relationships and diverse markets, our producers are seeking clarity on how this decision will be made, what safety and inspection standards will apply, and how this policy aligns with your administration’s commitment to strengthening American agriculture,” the letter reads, which was signed by Republican Reps. Julie Fedorchak of North Dakota, Troy Downing of Montana, Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, Jeff Hurd of Colorado, Michelle Fischbach of Minnesota, Gabe Evans of Colorado, Derek Schmidt of Kansas and August Pfluger of Texas.
“We respectfully request additional information on this matter and urge your administration to ensure that any future decisions are made with full transparency, sound science, and a firm commitment to the U.S. cattle industry,” the letter added.
Trump’s proposal also came up during a private conference call with House Republicans on Tuesday, with one Republican — Rep. Harriet Hageman of Wyoming — describing the situation as a “crisis” and claiming that importing Argentine beef could potentially destroy the American cattle industry, according to a source on the call.
Hageman said ranchers had already been affected “just because of that one comment” from Trump about importing Argentine beef, according to the source.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told Hageman he’d work to get her in touch with the right people in the Trump administration to communicate her concerns, the source said.
Another House Republican, Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mt. — who previously served as Trump’s Interior Secretary during his first administration — also said on the call that his constituents are “up in arms” over the idea of importing beef, according to the source.
And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said in a post on X that she’s also hearing a common sentiment from her voters: “‘We love President Trump, please tell him to stop helping foreign countries and put Americans first.’”
“At this point, help Americans only,” Greene wrote.
GOP senators were also quick to criticize Trump’s decision on Tuesday.
Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., began the day by criticizing Trump’s proposal on X, saying the beef imports would do “more harm than good.” She said she had expressed her “deep concerns” to the Trump administration.
“Bottom line: if the goal is addressing beef prices at the grocery store, this isn’t the way,” Fischer wrote.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., claimed Trump’s plans to import Argentine beef is inconsistent with his efforts to increase production within the United States.
“That sounds like he’s for international trade,” Paul said. “It sounds kind of contradictory. Someone needs to tell him that it doesn’t fit with all of his tariffs.”
And later Tuesday night, Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said in a post on X that he had spoken with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins about concerns he was hearing from constituents. He said he was encouraged by Rollins and Trump’s desire to “do right by the American producer,” asking for patience as more details are released.
According to Politico, Republican Sens. Joni Ernst of Iowa, Jerry Moran of Kansas and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama all said they would be calling Trump or sharing their concerns with the Department of Agriculture.
“We should always put America first. And I’m sure the president will be willing to work on this,” Ernst said, according to Politico.
On Tuesday morning, Rollins tried to quell the initial panic. She told CNBC it would not be “very much” beef that the United States would import from Argentina, and that Americans would hear more on this in the next day or two.
Still, cattle producers are already spooked.
Laura Field, the executive vice president of The Nebraska Cattlemen — a policy and membership organization representing cattle producers in the state — told MSNBC that members of her organization were obviously concerned.
“We don’t think there is a role here for any intervention from the government,” Field said. “The market’s doing what the market is doing.”
Wisconsin cattle farmer Alan Pinnt also told MSNBC it was “frustrating” to hear about Trump’s proposal, calling it “super detrimental” and a “massive hit” for cattle producers.
“I don’t know how you come back from it,” Pinnt said. “We don’t want the government involved with this stuff. I don’t believe importing beef is upholding the America First policy.”
And another cattle farmer, Jeannie Griswold, said Trump’s proposal was a “huge slap in the face.”
“If we want to see American agriculture continue, our president, regardless if they’re Republican or Democrat, needs to get behind American producers,” Griswold said.