President Donald Trump is facing sharp criticism from his own base—America’s cattle ranchers and soybean farmers—over recent deals with Argentina that they fear will undercut the domestic agriculture market.
The Beef Deal Backlash
To combat record-high US beef prices, the Trump administration signaled support for dramatically increasing low-tariff beef imports from Argentina. A White House official confirmed plans to quadruple the existing low-tariff quota for Argentinian beef from 20,000 to 80,000 metric tons annually.
US cattle producers, who had a strong year after decades of struggle, view this as a devastating betrayal.
- Rancher Perspective: Christian Lovell of Farm Action called the move a “betrayal of the American rancher” and “a feeling that you’re selling us out to a foreign competitor.” Farmers argue that a single profitable year, which allowed them to pay down debt accrued during unprofitable periods, is now threatened.
- Industry Opposition: Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, stated the group “cannot stand behind the President while he undercuts the future of family farmers and ranchers” to influence prices.
- Price Concerns: Ranchers blame price increases not on their margins, but on the large meatpacking corporations. They also worry that the influx of foreign beef will hurt them because large packers are not required to label the country of origin on the final product.
The President’s Defense
President Trump defended his plan on social media, arguing that the ranchers’ current success is due to his earlier tariffs on imported cattle, including a 50% tariff on Brazil.
He stressed that he must also consider the consumer: “It would be nice if they would understand that, but they also have to get their prices down, because the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking, also!“
The White House also announced a new USDA initiative to support ranchers in the long term by expanding grazing access and other measures, aiming to both lower consumer prices now and increase domestic supply later.
Soy Farmers Already Reeling
The cattle dispute follows a separate controversy involving soybean farmers, another critical base of Trump support.
The administration drew backlash after providing a $20 billion currency support to stabilize the Argentinian peso. Critics argue that Argentina then used this financial lifeline to strike a deal with China, allowing them to sell soybeans at a lower price just as China was boycotting American soybeans due to Trump’s tariffs.
- Lost Market: John Boyd, founder of The National Black Farmers Association, noted that China, the largest purchaser of US soybeans, has placed “zero” orders, leaving American farmers like him without a buyer.
- The Irony: Boyd criticized the administration’s financial aid, saying, “Here we are losing our farms, and the president is helping out a foreign country.”
These trade policies have led to signs that support for the president in farm country is beginning to fray, as farm bankruptcies have risen to their highest level since 2021.
