Where’s the beef? Here — not in Argentina, Republican lawmakers say

Republican Sen. Deb Fischer said Tuesday that President Trump’s plan to buy beef from Argentina “isn’t the right way” to bring down prices.

Ms. Fischer of Nebraska, a key agricultural state, joined the chorus of lawmakers and trade groups who say Mr. Trump’s plan would not be effective or would violate his “America First” principles.

“Right now, government intervention in the beef market will hurt our cattle ranchers,” the senator posted on X. “The U.S. has safe, reliable beef, and it is the one bright spot in our struggling ag economy. Nebraska’s ranchers cannot afford to have the rug pulled out from under them when they’re just getting ahead or simply breaking even.”

Mr. Trump floated the idea Sunday during a trip on Air Force One, saying beef purchases from South America would increase supply. The cost of ground beef, driven upward by depleted herds, weather problems and high consumer demand, has risen to a record high of nearly $7 per pound.

“We would buy some beef from Argentina,” Mr. Trump said during the flight. “If we do that, that will bring our beef prices down.”

The idea coincides with his administration’s support for an ally, Argentine President Javier Milei, who received a $20 billion credit swap to bolster Argentina’s finances as his party faces tough midterm elections.

Yet U.S. farmers have pushed back on financial support for another country while they are drowning in high costs for equipment and fertilizer — a trend that began during the Biden administration and has been exacerbated by tariff costs under Mr. Trump.

Beyond beef, soybean growers were upset to learn that China — once their top buyer — purchased soybeans from Argentina while the U.S. offered financial support to the South Americans.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said the U.S. already has a “deeply unbalanced trade relationship” with Argentina. In the past five years, Argentina has sold more than $801 million worth of beef into the U.S., while American producers have sold around $7 million worth to Argentina.

“This plan only creates chaos at a critical time of the year for American cattle producers, while doing nothing to lower grocery store prices,” NCBA CEO Colin Woodall said.

Rep. Thomas Massie, Kentucky Republican, wrote on X that the plan was “not America first!”

Mark McHargue, president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, said his organization opposes any attempt by the federal government “to artificially lower the price of cattle.”

Ms. Fischer said she’s been in touch with Mr. Trump’s administration and her colleagues “to seek clarity and express my deep concerns.”

“I’ve also been sounding the alarm on the bleak state of our ag economy and the negative impacts facing Nebraska’s ag industry — the economic driver of our state,” she posted. “I strongly encourage the Trump administration to focus on trade deals that benefit our ag producers — not imports that will do more harm than good.”

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, posting on X, said high input costs and years of drought resulted in low beef supply and high consumer prices.

She said there is “more to do to ensure massive wins for our ranchers and a secure future for our beef producers.”

Ms. Rollins said the administration would announce measures to help cattle ranchers in the coming days.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a statement to The Washington Times that “building back the herd will take time” and Ms. Rollins is committed to reducing risk for cattle producers, delivering robust disaster relief to cattle country, and supporting new and beginning ranchers across the country.

“These actions, coupled with President Trump’s work to secure lasting markets for beef producers abroad, sends a strong message to American cattle producers — raise more beef and rebuild the herd,” the agency said.