WASHINGTON, May 12, 2026 – President Trump is considering issuing an executive order that would allow more beef imports at lower tariff rates, but increasing imports could have long-term impacts and fails to address the underlying issues facing America’s ranchers. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the issue in the latest Market Intel.
“The United States cattle industry is navigating one of the tightest supply environments in decades,” the Market Intel states. “The domestic cattle herd remains near multi-decade lows following years of drought, elevated feed and operating costs, herd liquidation and ongoing disruptions tied to New World screwworm restrictions along the southern border. At the same time, beef imports have already climbed sharply. During the first quarter of 2026, the U.S. imported 562,000 metric tons of beef and beef products valued at nearly $4.5 billion, up 18% from the same period last year and 122% higher than five years ago.”
The administration is reportedly considering a 200-day suspension of quantitative limits under the U.S. beef tariff-rate quota system, allowing several countries to temporarily ship unlimited volumes of beef into the U.S. market at lower tariff rates. The policy may increase beef supplies in the short-term, but it would weaken incentives for ranchers to rebuild domestic herds.
“It’s no secret that America’s farmers are suffering,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Despite a historic drought limiting the supply of water and feed, the lone bright spot in farm country has been the cattle business. Ranchers are finally starting to recover from years of losses. Any plans to increase beef imports are extremely worrisome and could undermine the fragile recovery ranchers are experiencing.
“We appreciated the president’s efforts to enhance the farm economy earlier this year. We now urge him to consider the economic impact an executive order would have on rural America. Increased imports put at risk the economic sustainability of the men and women who grow the food every family in America relies on.”
Creating a reliance on imported beef and adding unnecessary uncertainty could discourage long-term domestic investments in home-grown protein.
AFBF news release
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