President Donald Trump said Friday that he reached a deal to increase beef imports into the United States with the goal of driving down prices.
Trump said up to 300,000 metric tons of beef would be allowed to be imported into the country over a 90-day period without facing tariffs. Beef prices have increased by almost 12% in the last year, according to the most recent data from the Department of Agriculture.
“Today, I concluded a deal to substantially lower the price of ground beef for working American families. As everyone knows, under President Biden, beef prices soared at their fastest rate and the American beef herd fell to its smallest size in modern history,” the president wrote on Truth Social.
“As we work to rebuild this herd and help our ranchers, for the next 90 days, the United States will allow up to 300,000 metric tons of product for ground beef to be imported with no out of quota tariff,” he added. “We have a commitment that this beef will be sold at 25 percent below current market prices. This deal will reduce prices for Americans while giving space for our Great American Beef Herd to grow again.”
Research indicates that the American cattle herd has fallen to its lowest level in 75 years and the Economic Research Service recently noted that “wholesale beef prices remain at all-time highs for this time of year.” In June 2026, beef and veal prices were up 11.8% from June 2025 and prices are predicted to only increase.
Beef prices have been a persistent problem for Trump throughout his second term. He has taken numerous actions aimed at reducing prices, including signing an executive order in February 2026 increasing the amount of beef Argentina could export to the United States.
That executive order noted the declining American cattle herd, the threat of New World screwworm, and persistent wildfires in cattle-producing states.
Trump also directed the Justice Department to launch investigations into meat packing companies over alleged collusion to drive up prices.
“This decisive action targets the foreign-dominated conglomerates that control America’s meat supply and have been accused of artificially inflating prices at the expense of farmers, ranchers, and working families,” Trump said at the time.
Food prices could play a role in the midterm elections as Democrats across the country are running on the issue of affordability.
