Trump defends beef tariff pause as Republican ranchers protest

President Trump announced a plan to allow up to 300,000 metric tons of beef imports without triggering quota tariffs for a 90‑day period, pledging the meat would be sold at rates below current market levels. The proposal has drawn criticism from Republican senators and representatives in ranching states, who say it could undercut domestic producers. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said she could not comment on which countries would supply the meat, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is involved in finalizing the details.

Economists estimate the imports would raise national beef supply by about 2 % and could produce only a temporary price effect. The administration says an executive order will formalize the arrangement.