Inside a Tumultuous Week for the Beef Industry

It’s been a contentious week in the cattle sector. From President Donald Trump’s initial comments on purchasing Argentine beef, to strong reactions from numerous industry groups, to continued back and forth as the week progressed, both the administration and policy leaders made their voices heard.

Here’s a brief look at how the controversy unfolded over the last several days.

Sunday

Trump roused the cattle industry on Sunday, Oct. 19, when he told reporters during a flight on Air Force One, “We would buy some beef from Argentina. He added, “If we do that, that will bring our beef prices down.”

Monday

The following day, the beef industry at large — from national organizations to state officials — responded promptly to the president’s comments, outlining how the move would negatively affect U.S. producers.

One group went so far to call the plan “a betrayal of the American rancher.”

Tuesday

On Tuesday, Oct. 21, Trump and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins had a meeting with Republican Senators where the beef purchase proposal came up.

Senator Mike Rounds left the meeting reportedly “encouraged by the desire” that Trump Rollins showed to “do right by the American producer.”

Wednesday

Trump took to social media on Wednesday, Oct. 22, to respond to the beef industry’s reaction to his proposal to purchase Argentine beef. He said his tariffs are “the only reason” cattle ranchers are doing well.

Several groups responded to the president’s posts, marking their second public statements of the week on the topic.

The same day, USDA released a plan to fortify the American beef industry.

Thursday

True to Trump’s comments earlier in the week, it was announced that the administration would quadruple the tariff rate quota on Argentine beef to 80,000 metric tons in a bid to reduce prices.