Nebraska farmers sound off following Trump’s proposal to import beef from Argentina

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Farmers across Nebraska are displeased with President Donald Trump’s proposal to purchase beef from Argentina in an effort to lower beef prices for American consumers.

According to AP News, U.S. beef prices have been stubbornly high for a variety of reasons, including drought and reduced imports from Mexico due to a flesh-eating pest in cattle herds there.

“We would buy some beef from Argentina,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday. “If we do that, that will bring our beef prices down.”

Nebraska’s beef industry is the largest economic driver for the state and its success affects all Nebraskans.

In a statement sent to Channel 8 by the Nebraska Farm Bureau, President Mark McHargue said the beef industry in Nebraska is crucial to the state’s economic success:

“A lot remains unknown about President Trump’s recent announcement that his administration is working on a plan to lower beef prices in the United States. As recently as October 19, President Trump indicated that importing beef from Argentina was how the administration plans to lower beef prices for consumers. Nebraska Farm Bureau is very aware of this situation and has been in contact with the administration as well as the entire congressional delegation. Nebraska Farm Bureau remains an organization committed to free and reciprocal trade agreements and the free market system; however, trade agreements cannot turn into one-sided arrangements that provide unfair access to the U.S. market. Nebraska is “The Beef State” and the success of Nebraska’s “beef” industry, Nebraska’s largest single economic driver, impacts all Nebraskans. Our message is simple, we oppose any attempt by the federal government to artificially lower the price of cattle, a move that would absolutely harm Nebraska’s cattle producers who are finally experiencing some level of economic success.”

Nebraska Cattlemen Board of Directors also sent a statement to Channel 8, saying foreign beef imports is not the solution:

“One of our core principles is to protect the free enterprise system for the beef cattle industry. Nebraska Cattlemen opposes government interference in the cattle market. Introducing unnecessary price volatility into the cattle and beef marketing chain and fostering uncertainty during the time of year when many producers are making heifer retention and herd expansion decisions risks a negative impact on the one true long-term solution for currently elevated beef prices – expansion of the U.S. beef cattle herd. The U.S. cattle and beef market is doing its job by replenishing cow numbers, and it will complete that job if allowed to do so in an uninhibited manner. Further, we produce a nutrient dense, safe, and delicious product, which is why consumer demand for beef remains strong. We urge President Trump and members of Congress to put American beef producers first and avoid hindering the cattle market’s ability to respond to fundamental cyclical factors.”

Trump promised days earlier to address the beef issue as part of his efforts to keep inflation in check.

AP News said Trump has been working to help Argentina bolster its collapsing currency with a $20 billion credit swap line and additional financing from sovereign funds and the private sector ahead of midterm elections for his close ally President Javier Milei.