Treasury Chief Blames Immigrants for Beef Inflation, Citing Diseased Cattle

Overview

• Scott Bessent made the claim on Fox News after a question about an Omaha Steaks warning that ground beef could reach $10 per pound.
• News reports say no official data show migrants entering the U.S. with cattle or bringing diseased livestock across the border.
• Bessent referenced screwworm as a rationale for shutting the border to Mexican beef, following a U.S. suspension of those imports in May.
• Economists tie recent price increases to Trump’s April tariff package and related levies on beef and inputs, including a 40% surcharge on Brazilian beef.
• The administration removed some reciprocal tariffs on selected farm goods on Friday, but beef-related surcharges and restrictions remain in place.