Trump Announces Beef Tariff Relief — and Takes Jab at Biden — in Bid to Cut Prices

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump announced a new deal Friday that will temporarily lift certain tariffs on ground beef imports, as his administration looks to drive down grocery costs ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Under the plan, the United States will allow up to 300,000 metric tons of beef intended for ground beef production to enter the country without an out-of-quota tariff over the next 90 days.

Taking to Truth Social, the president blamed the elevated cost of beef on his predecessor while arguing that the temporary tariff relief would give domestic producers time to rebuild supplies.

“As everyone knows, under President [Joe] Biden, beef prices soared at their fastest rate and the American beef herd fell to its smallest size in modern history,” he wrote, continuing: “As we work to rebuild this herd and help our ranchers, for the next 90 days, the United States will allow up to 300,000 metric tons of product for ground beef to be imported with no out of quota tariff. We have a commitment that this beef will be sold at 25 percent below current market prices.”

“This deal will reduce prices for Americans while giving space for our Great American Beef Herd to grow again,” he added.

(Screengrab via Truth Social)

The announcement comes as Republicans face mounting pressure over cost-of-living concerns ahead of elections that will determine control of Congress.

Grocery, housing, healthcare, and utility costs remain major concerns for voters, while highly visible prices for staples, including beef, can shape perceptions of the wider economy.

Ground beef prices remained near record levels in July, according to Bloomberg, and, citing new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which found the average price of a pound of beer was $7.116, 9.4% higher than a year earlier.

Trump has previously sought new methods to boost beef supplies as prices climbed, including through increased imports from Argentina and efforts to resume live cattle shipments from Mexico.

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