President Trump announced Friday that the U.S. will waive higher tariffs on ground beef imports for 90 days, allowing up to 300,000 metric tons to enter the country without triggering out-of-quota tariffs as consumers struggle with historically high beef prices.
In a social media post, Trump said the administration had secured a commitment that the imported beef would 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,” he wrote.
Ground beef averaged $6.89 per pound as of July 2026, up 57 percent from five years earlier, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis citing federal labor data. The price increases have far outpaced inflation in other food categories—ground beef rose 9 percent year-over-year in July, while beef steaks climbed 9.6 percent, according to the latest Consumer Price Index report.
The tariff waiver addresses a core driver of beef inflation: a shrinking U.S. cattle herd. In July, the nation’s beef cow herd fell to 28.5 million head, a record low for the month, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. Drought conditions have reduced pasture available for grazing, forcing ranchers to turn to costlier feed or cull their herds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Trump has previously attempted to address beef prices through tariff relief. In February, he signed an executive order to boost imports from Argentina by 80,000 metric tons. However, some experts have expressed skepticism about whether such measures will meaningfully reduce consumer costs, noting that additional imports account for a small share of overall U.S. beef supply.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesperson said the president’s action to ease tariffs would “help address the affordability of beef” during a time of record-high consumer demand. The administration also cited efforts to cut regulations for farmers and ranchers and rebuild the nation’s cattle supply.
The cattle industry remains divided on tariff relief. Groups representing cattle producers have opposed attempts to increase imports, citing concerns that cheaper foreign beef could undercut American ranchers. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the announcement.
The announcement comes as beef plants have faced closures and consolidation. Tyson Foods recently closed an Illinois beef plant and sold a Washington facility amid cattle supply pressures, signaling broader industry strain.
Sources
- CBS News — Trump’s 90-day waiver on ground beef tariffs, the 300,000 metric ton limit, 25% price commitment, current beef prices at $6.89/lb as of July, 57% price increase over five years, year-over-year price changes, cattle herd at 28.5 million head record low, drought impacts on ranching
- Reuters — Trump’s announcement of the 90-day tariff waiver, the 300,000 metric ton ground beef import allowance, the 25% price commitment
- Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis — Ground beef pricing data (cited in CBS News)
- Consumer Price Index — Year-over-year beef price increases (cited in CBS News)
- American Farm Bureau Federation — July cattle herd data at 28.5 million head record low (cited in CBS News)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture — Drought impacts on pasture and ranching practices (cited in CBS News)
