Trump’s Executive Orders To Lower Beef Prices Delayed
Forbes • • nation
Key Points:
- The U.S. cattle herd has dropped to its lowest level since 1951 due to prolonged droughts, leading to a surge in beef prices that are expected to tighten further through 2026 and 2027.
- Former President Trump has focused on beef prices since late 2025, proposing increased Argentine beef imports and calling for antitrust investigations into major meatpackers, blaming them for price hikes.
- The U.S. is set to import a record amount of beef in 2026, primarily from Brazil, Australia, and Canada, with Brazil poised to increase exports after China imposed quotas on Brazilian beef.
- In February, Trump signed a proclamation reducing tariffs on certain beef imports, temporarily increasing tariff-free Argentine beef trimmings, and new orders may suspend tariff quotas on all beef-exporting nations.
- Rising beef prices are impacting food businesses, with companies like Shake Shack, Chipotle, and Burger King reporting financial pressures and forecasting continued cost inflation through at least 2027.