Overview
- President Trump told reporters the U.S. could buy a limited amount of Argentine beef to ease high grocery prices and help an allied government "survive."
- Treasury officials said a $20 billion currency swap with Argentina’s central bank has been finalized, with efforts underway to mobilize roughly $40 billion when including private financing.
- U.S. cattle groups denounced the import idea as harmful to producers and cited biosecurity risks tied to Argentina’s foot-and-mouth disease history.
- Economists said additional Argentine shipments would be too small to materially lower U.S. prices, which are at records as cattle inventories sit near 75-year lows.
- Political pushback mounted as Sen. Deb Fischer voiced "deep concerns," Democrats advanced legislation to curb intervention, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said discussions with Argentina are ongoing with limited volumes under consideration.