Importing Beef Will Not Work
Published: Friday, October 31, 2025
The Michigan Cattlemen's Assn. respectfully expresses concern regarding President Donald J. Trump's recent comments on U.S. beef prices and the anticipated effects of the trade agreement with Argentina. We believe these statements do not accurately reflect the realities of the American beef industry and do not take into consideration added biosecurity risks associated with imports from countries with confirmed Foot and Mouth Disease.
American cattlemen and cattlewomen have long demonstrated exceptional efficiency, producing more beef with fewer cattle and establishing the United States as the most productive and sustainable beef industry in the world. Introducing additional foreign beef imports will undermine the stability of our domestic market and harm American farmers and ranchers without providing any meaningful benefit to consumers.
Farm input costs—including feed, fuel, equipment and land—have increased substantially in recent years. Although consumer beef prices have risen modestly, those increases do not reflect the steep escalation in production costs borne by our producers. Despite these challenges, demand for high-quality U.S. beef remains strong, a testament to the hard work and dedication of our nation's cattle producers.
The Michigan Cattlemen's Assn. urges President Trump to reconsider his position on imported beef and to take into account the significant and lasting impact such policies would have on American cattle producers, their families and their operations.
Our elected officials are entrusted to act in the best interests of the American people. As farmers, ranchers, and citizens, we strongly support free enterprise and a free market system. We do not support government actions that distort markets or undermine the long-term strength and sustainability of the American beef industry.
We respectfully request that President Trump engage directly with America's farmers and ranchers to gain a full understanding of how these economic realities affect our livelihoods, rather than relying solely on short-term market indicators.
Michigan Cattlemen's Assn., along with the National Cattlemen's Beef Assn. and other state affiliate associations, are urging producers to send letters to congress and let your representatives know importing Argentinian beef is not going to lower beef prices and will instead hurt the American beef producer.
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