Two Montana Republicans in Congress are pushing back against President Donald Trump’s plan to temporarily ease beef import tariffs, warning that the move could hurt American ranchers.
Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) and Rep. Troy Downing (R-MT) both criticized the plan Friday, arguing that Montana cattle producers could be forced to absorb the costs and face greater difficulty rebuilding their herds.
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“I’ve advised President Trump against this course of action for a year because American ranchers have been struggling against the packer monopoly for decades, and this will further harm them — most of whom are MAGA Republicans,” Sheehy said.
“The President’s heart is in the right place on wanting lower prices for the American people, and beef prices have been impacted by the Mexican screwworm,” Sheehy continued. “But the reality is this action will make it more difficult for American ranchers to rebuild our herd and bring prices down for the American people. And most importantly, this will harm our ranching families who feed the nation.”
Downing similarly warned that efforts to lower prices should not come at the expense of cattle producers.
“I understand the President taking action to lower prices at the grocery store, but it cannot happen on the backs of our ranchers,” Downing said. “Montana producers cannot be asked to absorb the cost. We must protect our ranchers and strengthen the American cattle herd so American beef remains at the center of our food supply.”
Beef prices have climbed to record levels, caused in part by shrinking cattle inventories, higher livestock costs, and disease concerns, including the New World screwworm.
Under Trump’s plan, the United States will allow up to 300,000 metric tons of beef products used for ground beef to enter the country without the out-of-quota tariff for 90 days.
Montana, a major cattle-raising state, produces roughly 1 billion pounds of beef annually. The state ranks twelfth nationally in beef cattle inventory, with about 1.23 million beef cows and 2.14 million total cattle and calves.
Trump has made affordability a central focus of his administration ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, blaming the Biden administration for the recent surge in beef prices and the decline in the nation’s cattle herd.
“As everyone knows, under President Biden, beef prices soared at their fastest rate and the American beef herd fell to its smallest size in modern history,” Trump wrote in announcing the agreement.
Trump reaches deal to halt tariffs on beef for 90 days in bid to lower prices
Trump argued that the temporary tariff relief would ultimately benefit consumers while giving American ranchers time to rebuild the nation’s cattle supply.
“We have a commitment that this beef will be sold at 25 percent below current market prices,” Trump said. “This deal will reduce prices for Americans while giving space for our Great American Beef Herd to grow again.”
