A small group of officials is discussing reducing the 300,000-ton quota authorized in late August amid Republican concerns over beef prices and the midterm elections, although the proposal faces resistance within the administration.
A small group of White House officials is considering reviewing President Donald Trump’s decision to increase beef imports, according to U.S. news outlet Politico. The discussions come as concern grows within the Republican Party ahead of the congressional midterm elections.
In late August, Trump signed an order allowing up to 300,000 tons of beef for ground beef production to enter without tariffs on volumes exceeding supplier countries’ quotas, with the aim of lowering domestic beef prices. According to Trump, Brazil was one of the main beneficiaries.
According to two sources with direct knowledge of the talks who spoke to Politico, the proposal to reduce the volume is being discussed within the Domestic Policy Council, led by Trump speechwriter Vince Haley, together with other White House officials. Other administration officials are uncertain whether the discussions will lead to a change.
The same sources said the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) opposes reducing imports because the measure is intended to lower high consumer beef prices in the short term and because the agency itself helped implement it.
