A proposal by former U.S. President Donald Trump to introduce a temporary tariff-free quota for beef imports may reduce Argentina’s share of the U.S. market, industry data shows.
The plan, which would allow up to 300,000 metric tons of imported beef for grinding over a 90-day period, is framed as a measure to increase supply and lower ground beef prices in the U.S. Argentina, which has seen its beef exports to the U.S. triple in the first seven months of the year, would not qualify for the additional quota under the proposal.
Argentina currently holds preferential access for 100,000 metric tons of beef exports to the U.S. in 2026, of which 61% has already been utilized. Shipments to the U.S. account for nearly 20% of Argentina’s total beef exports, driven by strong demand for lean beef used in hamburgers and processed foods amid tightening domestic cattle supplies in the U.S.
The proposed shift could redirect U.S. demand toward other suppliers, with Brazil—a larger global exporter—potentially benefiting. Brazil has been seeking alternative markets as access to China tightens and uncertainty grows over shipments to the European Union. Analysts note that Argentina’s recent export surge may face headwinds if the quota is implemented, altering trade dynamics in the global beef market.
