Trump grants exemption for Brazilian beef, postpones broader import orders

President Donald Trump announced that fresh Brazilian beef will be exempted from a new 25% Section 301 tariff, joining a list of other farm products such as sugar, orange juice, nuts and coffee. The decision was praised by beef importers but condemned by U.S. ranching groups. R‑CALF USA chief Bill Bullard said, “The strategy is a mistake, is misguided and will not work,” warning that the exemption could discourage ranchers from expanding herds and drive producers out of business.

At the same time the White House delayed signing executive orders that would temporarily suspend tariff‑rate quotas on beef and direct the Small Business Administration to increase lending to ranchers while easing environmental protections for wolves. The postponement follows rising beef prices—up more than 16% from pre‑Trump levels—and record U.S. beef imports, projected at a historic 5.8 billion pounds this year. Analysts expect the additional imports to have limited impact on consumer prices, while ranchers fear further pressure on domestic cattle production.