Americans in line for more beef from Argentina

President Trump is allowing Argentina to send an additional 80,000 tons of beef to U.S. markets in an attempt to reduce sky-high consumer prices.

Mr. Trump said the U.S. deserves affordable beef because it ranks as the globe’s biggest consumer of beef by volume and second per capita.

“As president of the United States, I have a responsibility to ensure that hard-working Americans can afford to feed themselves and their families,” Mr. Trump wrote in his proclamation on Friday.

The cost of ground beef has risen to $6.60 per pound.

It was about a dollar less one year ago. But depleted herds, weather problems and high consumer demand have driven up costs.

Mr. Trump caused an uproar last fall when he proposed buying more beef from Argentina, hoping the increase in supply would drive down prices. The U.S. beef industry said it would upset the U.S. market and violate the president’s “America First” principles.

Mr. Trump moved ahead on Friday, allowing an additional 80,000 tons of Argentine beef into its markets for 2026, on top of the 20,000 previously permitted.

The increased allocation was outlined in a trade deal that the U.S. and Argentina sealed one day earlier.

In a victory lap, the Argentine government said the deal included an “unprecedented expansion of preferential access” for its beef.

The overall trade deal is a notable achievement for Argentine President Javier Milei, a Trump ally who is trying to move the South American country in a free-market direction.

As part of the deal, Argentina agreed to drop tariffs on a range of American products, including machinery, medical devices and chemicals.