Trump officials reconsider beef import plan amid GOP backlash in farm states

Trump‑appointed USDA officials are reconsidering a plan to increase beef imports as frustration grows among Republican lawmakers in key battleground and farm states ahead of the November 2024 election. The proposal, which would have opened U.S. markets to more Argentine and Brazilian cattle, is now under review, according to sources familiar with internal discussions. Officials say the shift is aimed at calming anger in states that supply a large share of the nation’s beef.

The beef import plan was announced in early June as part of a broader effort to lower food prices and honor World Trade Organization commitments. Farmers and ranchers warned it would undercut domestic producers, drive down cattle prices, and threaten jobs in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and other rural areas. The backlash gave GOP leaders in the House and Senate a rallying point to criticize the Biden administration’s trade policies and to press for protectionist measures. Midterm polls show the farm belt is a decisive factor, and the issue has become a flashpoint in the party’s campaign strategy.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Dusty Johnson (R‑SD) and Senate Agriculture leader John Hoeven (R‑ND) have called the proposal “dangerous” and threatened hearings to force a reversal. Inside the USDA, senior officials who were appointed by former President Trump, including Undersecretary for Trade Jim McIntosh, have drafted a revised approach that would pause the import increase and tighten safety inspections. Sources say the White House is weighing the political cost of moving forward against the economic argument that cheaper meat would benefit consumers.

If the USDA backs away from the plan, it could give the GOP a win in the farm belt and ease midterm anxiety for Republican candidates. Consumer groups and some retailers argue that limiting imports will keep prices high and hurt low‑income families, keeping the debate alive. The administration is expected to issue a statement within days, and a final decision could be announced before the November election, shaping narratives around trade, food security and the upcoming campaign.