Trump Postpones Easing Beef Tariffs Amid Backlash From Support Base

"No Timeline Mentioned for Resuming the Measure"

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump considered easing tariffs on imported beef to stabilize soaring beef prices and curb inflation, but decided to postpone the measure due to opposition from ranchers.

On the 11th (local time), the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing White House officials, reported that the Trump administration has decided to delay the temporary suspension of the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) system applied to imported beef.

President Trump had planned to sign an executive order on this day to lower tariffs on imported beef and ease regulations on U.S. cattle ranchers. However, the measure was postponed while finalizing the details.

This decision is analyzed as being driven by backlash from some Republican lawmakers and cattle ranchers, who are a core part of President Trump's support base. Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana said after news of the tariff relief measure broke, "There will be concerns among ranchers about this." Cynthia Lummis, a Republican senator from Wyoming and a cattle rancher herself, stated, "Tariffs are a difficult issue for the administration," but also warned, "If changes in tariffs impact beef prices, ranchers could suffer enormous losses."

The TRQ system imposes lower tariffs on a set volume of imports, but higher tariffs on quantities exceeding that limit. Suspending this system would allow beef to be imported at lower tariff rates.

The Trump administration had also planned to announce support measures for U.S. ranchers, such as directing the Small Business Administration (SBA) to expand loans and improve capital access for livestock producers, alongside the tariff relief measure. Additionally, the administration was set to ease certain livestock regulations, including relaxing protections for endangered wolves and lifting mandatory electronic tags for identification, which have long been a source of frustration for ranchers. However, these measures have also been postponed.

The White House official did not specify when the beef tariff relief measures might be revisited.

Over the past year, beef prices have been cited as one of the main drivers of consumer price increases in the U.S. While prices for some foods such as eggs and milk have stabilized, beef prices have risen by about 40% compared to five years ago. During the COVID-19 pandemic, livestock prices plummeted, and combined with droughts, ranchers reduced the size of their herds. However, demand for beef has remained steady, resulting in a supply shortage.

To curb inflation, the Trump administration allowed increased imports of Argentine beef in February, and has also expanded imports from Brazil, Australia, and other regions. The U.S. is expected to import approximately 27 trillion kilograms of beef this year.