An executive order from President Trump, expected within the next two weeks, would ease tariffs for beef imports by 300,000 metric tons for 90 days. The order is designed to ease ground beef prices by up to 25%, welcomed news for consumers amid high food prices.

However, cattle industry groups and lawmakers say the plan carries short- and long-term costs for U.S. cattle producers. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and U.S. Cattlemen’s Association have raised concerns that a surge of imported beef could undercut herd rebuilding efforts and add market volatility at a critical time for expansion decisions. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including Sens. Deb Fischer, John Thune, and Mike Rounds, along with Reps. Ashley Hinson and Dusty Johnson, echoed similar concerns, noting that while the order may offer consumers near-term relief, growing the domestic cattle herd remains the more sustainable path to lower beef prices over time.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall commented:

“While America’s cattle producers share the goal of keeping groceries affordable for consumers, flooding the ​market with government-subsidized, below-market beef is not the way to rebuild the American cattle herd.”

Read more on the executive order and additional commentary from industry leaders.