14 Republicans oppose President Trump’s beef import plan due to farmers’ concerns
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins talks about the fight over government spending on “Evening Edit.”
More than a dozen Republican lawmakers opposed the Trump administration’s plan to expand beef imports from Argentina, saying the plan is aimed at easing pressure on Americans’ wallets but would hurt U.S. farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers.
“While we share the administration’s goal of reducing costs for consumers, we are concerned that granting additional market access to Argentina, already one of our largest beef suppliers, would undermine U.S. cattle producers, weaken our position in ongoing trade negotiations, and reintroduce avoidable animal health risks,” the letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said.
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A cow is seen on a farm in Jamestown, California, on October 26, 2025. (Frederick J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
The letter was signed by Rep. Jason Smith (R-Missouri), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Nebraska). Greg Steube of Florida State. Beth Van Dine, from Texas; Mike Carey of Ohio State. Michelle Fischbach from Minnesota. Bruce Westerman, from Arkansas. Rudy Yakim III of Indiana; Scott Franklin of Florida. Max Miller, from Ohio. David Kustoff, from Tennessee; Frank Lucas from Oklahoma. Greg Murphy of North Carolina. and Florida’s Aaron Bean.
“Expanding access to countries that maintain barriers to U.S. beef or that have historically struggled to maintain transparency in animal health risks disrupting markets and driving down cattle prices with no measurable benefit to consumers,” the lawmakers said.
The 14 Republicans called for more investment domestically, rather than relying on imports as a way to lower prices.
Smith said in a statement that he “strongly” disagrees with the claim that purchasing Argentine beef “significantly impacts store prices.” He said he applauded the Trump administration’s efforts to open new market access for U.S. farmers, but expressed concern about its leniency toward countries that “maintain historically high tariffs on U.S. beef.” He added, “America first means American beef.”
The lawmakers who signed Wednesday’s letter are not the first to oppose the plan. A group of Republicans led by Rep. Julie Fedorchak (D) expressed concerns about the bill last week. Fedorchak and his colleagues warned in a letter to President Donald Trump that the plan could harm America’s multibillion-dollar ranching industry.
President Donald Trump greets President Javier Milei of Argentina upon his arrival at the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 14, 2025. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images/Getty Images)
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“America’s cattle producers are some of the most resilient and hardworking in the nation,” the Republicans wrote. “Collectively, the livestock industry supports thousands of jobs across our district and contributes $112 billion to rural economies across the country.”
Republicans also expressed concerns about whether imported beef would be subject to the same food safety and animal health requirements as U.S. beef.
“Any import policy must hold foreign suppliers to similarly stringent standards. Introducing beef from countries with inconsistent safety and inspection records risks undermining the trust that American ranchers have worked for decades to earn,” the lawmakers warned.
Rollins appeared on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” last week and said the U.S. is considering a plan to import beef from Argentina to increase supply and reduce costs, citing food safety issues. He said imports would increase supply, but “not by much” compared to the amount produced in the United States.
Caged cows are on display during the Cattleman’s Columbus Livestock Auction on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in Columbus, Texas. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle/Getty Images/Getty Images)
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Additionally, Rollins acknowledged that there is an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among cattle in Argentina, but said the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will closely monitor imports to ensure safety.
“This is a very nuanced, very complex market, and we’re moving in all directions to create a better future for ranchers,” Rollins said.
FOX Business has reached out to the White House and the Department of Agriculture for comment.
