08/22/2026
Today, President Donald Trump announced the tariff-free import of 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef products. Below is a statement from ACA Chief Executive Officer Erin Beasley regarding this announcement:
"Today’s announcement by President Trump to import 300,000 metric tons of government-subsidized beef is extremely disappointing. This decision has consequences for our industry starting with the immediate reactions we have seen today in the live cattle market. Since the announcement, the market has taken a sharp decline, which affects the bottom line for cattlemen in Alabama."
She continued, "It’s no secret that August is a heavy marketing month for Alabama feeder calves, and volatility in the market greatly impacts the bottom line for our producers. Flooding the market with subsidized foreign beef only discourages cattlemen from making investments in their operations, ultimately slowing down herd rebuilding. We've already seen deals struck with poor trading partners, and now we will see an increase in the products we import from these countries. This Administration needs to focus on policies that will encourage herd expansion and lower the input costs that have burdened the industry for some time. Market manipulation will never be the answer, and today’s announcement is another slap in the face for cattlemen everywhere, especially the more than 10,000 members in our organization."
