How the Latest Beef Tariff Could Affect U.S. Farmers and Shoppers

If you’ve walked through the meat aisle lately and winced at the price of steak, you’re not alone. Beef prices have been on a wild ride lately — and things might be about to get even more interesting (and not necessarily cheaper).

Lately, there's been a lot of talk about foods that will be impacted by tariffs — especially since the rules seem to change on a near-daily basis. Now, the cattle industry is caught in the crossfire. After U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 50% on Brazilian beef in August, he recently announced plans to boost imports from Argentina while keeping tariffs low. According to Trump, the move will lower beef prices for American consumers.

Sounds great for shoppers, right? Cheaper steaks, more Sunday roasts, maybe even a little extra room in the grocery budget. But hold the marinade — because American farmers aren’t exactly celebrating.

The move has angered U.S. farmers. The Trump administration positioned tariffs as a way to bolster American businesses, but farmers say the move could jeopardize their livelihoods. The United States is one of the world's top beef producers, but the past few years have been brutal for cattle farmers. Droughts have dried up grazing lands, feed costs have skyrocketed, and many ranchers are aging out of the industry. As of early 2025, there were only 86.7 million cattle in the U.S. — the smallest number since the 1950s.

And as Justin Tupper, President of the U.S. Cattlemen's Association, put it: "A deal of this magnitude with Argentina would undercut the very foundation of our cattle industry."

Even some of Trump’s political allies aren’t too pleased. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota (a state that takes its beef very seriously), said, "We've been in touch with the White House, Department of Agriculture, U.S. trade rep on all this stuff, trying to figure out where it's headed."

High prices reflect tough times for American farmers

So why is beef so pricey in the first place? According to industry insiders, it’s not price gouging — it’s reality. "The cost of producing beef today is accurately represented in the consumer markets where it is sold," said Tupper.

Translation: the high cost of feed, fuel, land, and labor means your ribeye isn’t just paying for flavor — it’s paying for survival. Farmers say these costs have risen way faster than the prices we see on grocery shelves. And historically, the price of beef has actually stayed pretty stable compared to the ‘80s.

Will Argentinian beef save the day?

Economists say that importing more Argentinian beef won’t do much to lower grocery store prices — but it could weaken America’s own cattle industry. As Nebraska Representative Adrian Smith put it, Trump’s plans "threaten our domestic food security."

That means more imported food, fewer local ranchers, and potentially higher prices down the line.

Farmers are hoping for support from the government, but that's been scarce. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly says the administration will protect ranchers — but for now, most U.S. farmers are still waiting for something concrete.

Information and quotes from Takeout.