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August 28, 2026 / 12:28 PM EDT
/ CBS News
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Cattle ranchers are speaking out against a Trump administration plan to temporarily waive higher tariffs on ground beef imports, arguing it will undercut their business and prevent them from rebuilding their dwindling cattle herds.President Trump announced on Truth Social last week that the U.S. will import 300,000 metric tons of ground beef — about 661 million pounds — while easing tariffs, allowing it to be sold at 25% below market price. The deal is scheduled to take effect on Sept. 1, according to a description of the proclamation on the White House website. It applies to lean beef trimmings, which can be blended with higher-quality domestic beef to create ground beef, according to Purdue University economists. U.S. beef prices have surged to nearly $7 a pound, up roughly 63 cents over the last 12 months and $2.93 a pound since 2021. The White House said that temporarily expanding imports will lower beef costs for consumers. "This action includes key safeguards to maximize cost savings while protecting American ranchers from foreign imports and giving space for American ranchers to grow the domestic herd," the White House added."Crazy input costs"Despite such reassurances, the plan to boost U.S. imports of foreign beef has drawn criticism from some cattle ranchers, who fear it could drive down the prices they receive for their cattle. Falling prices, compounded by rising production costs, would make it harder for ranchers to expand their herds — the main factor driving up beef costs for consumers. Shawn Harris, a rancher based in Georgia and a Democratic nominee for the state's 14th Congressional District, said the plan could run cattle ranchers like him out of business.
