Trump signed the decree that quintuples the import quota for Argentine beef
“As president, I have a responsibility to ensure that hardworking Americans can afford to feed their families. After considering information provided by the Department of Agriculture, among other relevant information, I am taking steps to temporarily increase the amount of imports within the tariff-rate quota for lean beef trimmings, under the United States tariff-rate quota, in order to increase the supply of ground beef for American consumers,” states the decree signed by Trump, titled “Ensuring Affordable Beef for the American Consumer.”
According to the text of the trade agreement released by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), led by Jamieson Greer, the increase in the quota for Argentine beef is for this year.
Trump's decree details how the new 80,000 tons of beef will be distributed throughout the year under the agreement, in addition to the 20,000 tons that were already allocated to Argentine.
“They will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis in four quarterly installments,” the executive order states. The first installment of 20,000 metric tons will open on February 13 and close on March 31; the second installment will run from April 1 to June 30; the third, from July 1 to September 30; and the fourth, from October 1 to December 31. The additional 80,000 metric tons described in this proclamation are allocated in their entirety to Argentine,” the decree explains.
Argentine officials familiar with the negotiations with the USTR explained that the idea is for this significant expansion of meat imports—highlighted especially by Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno—to be extended once this year ends.
Within the United States, one of the contentious points of the agreement with Argentine was the increase in imports of Argentine beef as Trump himself had suggested last year. At that time, producers and cattle ranchers' associations harshly criticized the U.S. government.
Trump's decision aims to lower supermarket prices for American consumers. The average price of beef has soared in recent years, reaching a high of $6.68 per pound (454 grams) in December, according to the Federal Reserve. That's the highest price beef has reached since the Labor Department began tracking prices in 1984.
According to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry, the fivefold increase in the US quota will represent an $800 million increase in Argentine beef exports. The Trump administration's recent decision quickly drew renewed reactions from US cattle ranchers, who oppose the increased imports.
The IPCVA celebrates the trade agreement with the United States
Increasing the meat export quota creates better competition between markets and encourages growth in the sector.
“We have received with great joy the government's announcement of the trade agreement with the United States, especially regarding the increase in the quota of Argentine beef to that destination,” said Georges Breitschmitt, president of the Institute.
“This great news creates better competition between markets, challenges us to become more integrated as a chain, and confirms that we must work to increase productivity and meet the growing global demand for protein,” he said.
Breitschmitt noted that they are working together with the National Government, seeking to open new markets, improve trade conditions, and generate greater competitiveness.
This great advance also demonstrates the work of the entire production chain represented in the Institute, since for more than a decade it has been working in this strategic market, first to achieve its reopening in 2018 and then with promotional campaigns.
According to the IPCVA export report of December 2025, the United States was the third main destination for Argentine beef, behind China and Israel, with more than 5,700 tons.
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