U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he would allow up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef imports without impacting tariff quotas.
"For the next 90 days, the United States will allow up to 300,000 metric tons of product for ground beef to be imported with no out of quota tariff," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "We have a commitment that this beef will 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 said.
The tariff relief comes against a backdrop of tightening beef supplies and sustained price hikes.
Years of drought and elevated production costs have discouraged ranchers from large-scale herd expansion, pushing the nation's cattle inventory to its lowest level in 75 years.
In recent weeks, persistent drought combined with pest infestations has further hampered herd replenishment, worsening the supply outlook.
As the most widely consumed beef product in the U.S. food system, ground beef is favored for its affordability and cooking versatility, serving as a staple ingredient in hamburgers, meat patties, sandwiches and other everyday dishes.
The United States consumes approximately five million tons of ground beef annually, with around 30 percent sourced from imports.
Major suppliers include Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Argentina. The 300,000-ton tariff-exempt quota accounts for roughly 20 percent of the country's total annual ground beef imports.
Rising fuel and logistics costs, driven by the energy crisis stemming from tensions in Iran, have added further upward pressure on domestic retail food prices.
U.S. Consumer Price Index rose 3.4 percent year on year in July, edging down slightly from the 3.5 percent gain in June. Even so, price increases for eight categories including beef, seafood and fresh produce have outstripped their 20-year historical averages.
Trump to temporarily ease tariff on ground beef imports
