More than a dozen Republican lawmakers are challenging the Trump administration’s plan to expand beef imports from Argentina, arguing that the move, intended to lower consumer costs, threatens U.S. farmers and ranchers.
The lawmakers formalized their opposition in a letter addressed to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
“While we share the Administration’s goal of lowering costs for consumers, we are concerned that granting additional market access to Argentina — already one of our largest beef suppliers — will undermine American cattle producers, weaken our position in ongoing trade negotiations, and reintroduce avoidable animal-health risks,” the letter read.
The letter was signed by 14 Republicans, led by Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.), who is chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Other signatories included Reps. Adrian Smith (Nebraska), Greg Steube (Florida), Beth Van Duyne (Texas), Mike Carey (Ohio), Michelle Fischbach (Minnesota), Bruce Westerman (Arkansas), Rudy Yakym III (Indiana), Scott Franklin (Florida), Max Miller (Ohio), David Kustoff (Tennessee), Frank Lucas (Oklahoma), Greg Murphy (North Carolina), and Aaron Bean (Florida).
The group argued that “Providing greater access to nations that maintain barriers against U.S. beef or have previously struggled to maintain animal health transparency risks disrupting markets and depressing cattle prices without delivering measurable benefits to consumers.” Instead of relying on imports, the Republicans called for increased domestic investments as the primary way to lower prices.
This group of signatories was not the first to object to the plan. Last week, a separate group of Republicans, led by Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-N.D.), expressed concern over the proposal. In a letter to President Donald Trump, Fedorchak and others warned that the plan could harm America’s multibillion-dollar ranching industry.
“America’s cattle producers are among the most resilient and hardworking in the nation,” the Republicans wrote. “Collectively, the cattle industry supports thousands of jobs across our districts and contributes $112 billion to rural economies nationwide.”
A significant concern raised by the lawmakers centered on whether imported beef would be held to the same rigorous food safety and animal health requirements mandated for U.S. beef.
“Any import policy must hold foreign suppliers to those same rigorous standards. Introducing beef from countries with inconsistent safety or inspection records could undermine the confidence that U.S. ranchers have worked decades to earn,” the lawmakers warned.
Agriculture Secretary Rollins previously addressed the issue of food safety during an appearance on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” last week, confirming the U.S. was considering Argentine imports to increase supply and decrease costs. She noted that while imports would boost supply, the quantity would not be “very much” compared to U.S. production.
Rollins also acknowledged that Argentina was experiencing an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among its cattle, but she assured that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would closely monitor imports to ensure safety.
“This is a very nuanced, very complex market that we’re moving in every potential possible direction to make sure that we’ve got a good future for these ranchers,” Rollins said.
