President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week to increase beef imports from Argentina protected by preferential treatment. Under the order, Argentina will be able to export 100,000 metric tons (MT) of beef to the U.S. without being subject to tariffs, compared to the current quota of 20,000 MT.

The higher tariff rate quota aims to tackle high beef prices for consumers. The proclamation finalizes the terms of a deal signed by the U.S. and Argentina that scrapped hundreds of tariffs and reduced trade barriers between the countries.

“I am taking action to temporarily increase the quantity of in-quota imports of lean beef trimmings under the United States beef TRQ to increase the supply of ground beef for United States consumers,” Trump said in a proclamation on Friday.

The U.S. imported 113.7 million pounds (51,570 MT) of beef from Argentina during the first 11 months of 2025, according to monthly data from the USDA’s Economic Research Service. Imports rose about 26 percent from the previous year. Still, Argentina accounted for about 2.3 percent of total shipments during that period. Raising the quota could cap Argentinian imports at about 8 percent of total imports.

Total imports during the same period reached a record 5 billion pounds, up 18 percent year-over-year. Much of that growth was due to increases in shipments from Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and Uruguay. Growth was also reported for Nicaragua, Argentina, and Paraguay.

Declining U.S. cow slaughter has increased the need for beef imports to fulfill demand for lean ground beef over the past few years.

The USDA forecasts U.S. beef imports to further increase in 2026 to account for tight cattle supplies. Import competition has been increasing among key suppliers, and could extend into this year. China’s increased tariffs on beef imports could divert more Brazilian and Australian beef to the U.S. after the White House reduced tariffs on beef imports.

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