The U.S. Department of Agriculture may soon authorize a major increase in Argentine beef imports, according to statements by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. The current tariff-rate quota allows 20,000 metric tons of Argentine beef to enter the U.S. market annually at reduced tariffs. Rollins confirmed that President Donald Trump is considering boosting that quota to as much as 100,000 tons, possibly distributed as 20,000 per quarter.

While administration officials have not provided a timeline for the official announcement, sources indicate the new quota could rise to 80,000 metric tons or more. The potential policy shift is part of a broader strategy to stabilize domestic beef prices, which have been under pressure due to reduced herd sizes, input cost inflation, and tight supply.

Rollins defended the move during a Fox News interview, describing the current beef market as "frustrating" for both producers and consumers. "The president is very, very frustrated because everything he's done to cut taxes, to bring down costs," she said. However, the announcement quickly met strong opposition from U.S. cattle groups, who argue that increased imports could undermine domestic livestock production and depress feeder cattle prices.

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association released a statement urging the administration to abandon the proposal, warning that "rather than turning to risky imports, we urge the administration to support long-term solutions that preserve herd health, incentivize expansion in domestic beef production, and protect the livelihoods of American ranchers."

Despite the pushback, Rollins emphasized that even a fivefold increase would represent a small share of total U.S. beef imports. In 2024, the U.S. imported approximately 4.6 billion pounds of beef and veal, with Argentina contributing only about 2% of that total. "This is not a massive influx," she said, downplaying the scope of the change.

Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) echoed this view, noting that the added imports wouldn't come close to replacing recent shortages of Mexican feeder cattle, which have fallen sharply in 2025 due to a New World screwworm outbreak. He also pointed out that much of the imported beef is lower-quality meat used for processed products like hamburger patties and does not directly compete with premium domestic cuts.

"We don't have a lot of hamburger to meet the needs, so we have to import some from somewhere," Marshall said. "I don't understand why the markets are overreacting."

Still, ranchers remain wary of any import expansion, particularly as the administration simultaneously promotes a new domestic plan to rebuild the U.S. cattle herd, increase production, and encourage beef consumption. The proposal was unveiled this week but notably did not include any reference to increased imports.

The political and economic implications are likely to grow as Congress prepares for debate over the 2026 Farm Bill, where beef import policies, livestock protections, and market resiliency will take center stage. For now, U.S. producers are calling for transparency and a commitment to long-term domestic solutions, rather than quick fixes through expanded imports.