Washington: US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation temporarily expanding tariff-free imports of lean beef trimmings to address supply shortages and keep ground beef prices affordable, the White House said Friday. 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.

According to Anadolu Agency, the White House stated that the agriculture secretary, 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 head as of January 2026, with beef cow inventories down 8.6% since 2020.

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