14 Republican lawmakers oppose Trump beef import plan over farmer concerns

More than a dozen Republican lawmakers opposed the Trump administration’s plan to expand beef imports from Argentina, saying that while the plan is intended to relieve pressure on Americans’ wallets, it hurts American farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers.

“While we share the Administration’s goal of lowering costs for consumers, we are concerned that granting additional market access to Argentina — already one of our largest beef suppliers — will undermine U.S. livestock producers, weaken our position in ongoing trade negotiations, and reintroduce avoidable animal health risks,” the letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Trade Representative Jamison Greer said.

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The letter was signed by Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Rep. Adrian Smith, D-Nebraska; Greg Steube, from Florida; Beth Van Duyne, of Texas; Mike Carey, from Ohio; Michelle Fischbach, from Minnesota; Bruce Westerman, of Arkansas; Rudy Yakim III, of Indiana; Scott Franklin, from Florida; Max Miller, of Ohio; David Kostoff, of Tennessee; Frank Lucas, of Oklahoma; Greg Murphy, of North Carolina; And Aaron Bean from Florida.

“Providing greater access to states that erect barriers to U.S. beef or that have previously struggled to maintain animal health transparency risks disrupting markets and lowering livestock prices without providing measurable benefits to consumers,” the lawmakers said.

The 14 Republicans called for increasing investments at home as a way to reduce prices, instead of relying on imports.

Smith said in a statement that he “strongly” disagreed with the assertion that purchasing beef from Argentina “will have a measurable impact on in-store prices.” The committee chairman said he praised the Trump administration for trying to open new markets for American farmers, but expressed concern about leniency with countries that have “historically maintained high tariffs on American beef.” “America First means American beef,” he added.

The lawmakers who signed Wednesday’s letter are not the first to object to the plan. A group of Republicans, led by Rep. Julie Fedorchak, expressed concern about the bill last week. In a letter to President Donald Trump, Fedorchak and others warned that the plan could harm America’s multi-billion-dollar livestock industry.

President Donald Trump greets Argentine President Javier Miley as he arrives at the West Wing of the White House on October 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Deitch/Getty Images/Getty Images)

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“America’s livestock producers are among the most resilient and hardworking producers in the country,” the Republicans wrote. “Collectively, the livestock industry supports thousands of jobs across our counties and contributes $112 billion to rural economies across the country.”

Republicans also expressed concern about whether imported beef would be subject to the same food safety and animal health requirements as U.S. beef.

“Any import policy should hold foreign suppliers to the same stringent standards. Introducing beef from countries with inconsistent safety or inspection records could undermine the trust that American ranchers have worked for decades to earn,” the lawmakers warned.

Last week, during an appearance on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Rollins addressed the issue of food safety when he said the United States was considering a plan to import beef from Argentina to increase supply and reduce costs. Although imports will increase supply, they will not be “very large” compared to the amount of production in the United States, she said.

Cattle are displayed in barns at the Cattlemen’s Columbus Livestock Auction in Columbus, Texas, on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle/Getty Images/Getty Images)

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Additionally, Rollins acknowledged that Argentina is experiencing an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among livestock, but said the USDA will closely monitor imports to ensure safety.

“This is a very nuanced and very complex market and we are moving in every direction possible to make sure we have a good future for these ranchers,” Rollins said.

FOX Business has reached out to the White House and the Department of Agriculture for comment.