Overview
- Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the administration is in discussions with Buenos Aires and any purchases would be “not very much” beef.
- Argentina’s central bank confirmed a $20 billion currency-swap with the U.S., and Treasury is courting private lenders for another $20 billion in financing.
- Rancher groups condemned the idea as market interference that would not lower grocery prices, citing foot-and-mouth disease risks.
- The U.S. has imported about $801 million in Argentine beef since 2020 compared with roughly $7 million in U.S. beef sales to Argentina, industry data show.
- Beef prices have climbed roughly 13% year over year on drought-depleted herds and screwworm-related supply hits from Mexico, and lawmakers from both parties unveiled efforts to block the plan.