FORT WORTH, Texas (April 7, 2026) – Since the Trump administration took office, there has been a flurry of activity on the international trade front. Early in 2025, President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on several countries that brought world leaders to the negotiating table. These actions sparked an increase in trade headlines, bringing both opportunities and challenges for the beef market.
Of note is a trade agreement-in-principle with the United Kingdom, which would give U.S. beef more access to the country’s lucrative market. Trump also signed reciprocal trade deals with Malaysia and Cambodia, as well as a framework trade deal with Thailand, that will require all three countries to address tariff and non-tariff barriers on U.S. imports. Trump also announced a similar deal with Vietnam, which has been levied with a tariff rate of 20% on exports to the U.S.
These are important moves for U.S. beef. High tariff rates on our product imposed by these four countries have made competition difficult with beef exporters including Australia and New Zealand. Now, with lower tariffs, American ranchers are provided greater opportunity to capture market share and demand for high-quality beef cuts.
Beyond these four countries, new trade deals have also emerged with North Macedonia and Taiwan. Taiwan plans to eliminate or reduce its average 17% tariff on virtually all traded goods, including beef, and streamline processes for exporting U.S. beef products. Likewise, Northern Macedonia agreed to eliminate customs duties for all U.S. industrial and agricultural goods, which historically has had a tariff rate close to 13%.
Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association supported Trump’s renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement into the vastly improved U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement during his first term. USMCA modified NAFTA to reflect modern economic needs, protecting unrestricted duty-free beef access established under NAFTA. In return, this agreement allowed our industry to build Canada and Mexico into perennial top-five beef export markets. USMCA will be up for a joint review starting in July, when the U.S., Canada and Mexico will decide whether to extend the agreement for another 16 years.
Along with the whirlwind of trade headlines came the announcement that the U.S. will increase beef imports from Argentina to 80,000 metric tons, expanding the supply of lean trim used in grind in the U.S. market.
While Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association supports trade and understands that marketing high-quality U.S. beef to increase value requires imported lean trim, safety and protection must remain top of mind. Importing beef from a country where foot-and-mouth disease is present could pose a serious threat to the U.S. herd — and potentially undermine efforts to rebuild our nation’s cattle inventory. Our association voiced our concerns and encouraged the administration to consider long-term solutions that preserve herd health, incentivize domestic beef production expansion and protect the livelihoods of American ranchers.
In late February, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose broad tariffs was unconstitutional, which invalidated IEEPA-based tariffs affecting multiple beef trading partners. This ruling does not, however, impact the previously negotiated trade agreements in place from last year.
While considerable attention given to international partnerships brings both positive and negative sentiments, cattle producers benefit from trade overall. Successful negotiation of these trade deals and expanded market access are essential for a prosperous future for years to come.
