U.S. expands Argentine beef imports to address price pressures (Fox Business): Donald Trump signed a proclamation expanding the amount of beef the U.S. can import from Argentina, a move aimed at helping relieve high domestic beef prices by increasing lean beef trimmings supply. Under the new measure, the tariff-rate quota for Argentine beef imports in 2026 will be increased by 80,000 metric tons, with that additional amount released in quarterly portions beginning in mid-February. The administration said the step responds to historically high beef prices and a long-term decline in the U.S. cattle herd, though some experts contend the additional imports will likely only modestly affect retail prices.
The announcement drew substantial criticism from cattle industry representatives and some lawmakers, who argue that expanded imports won’t meaningfully lower consumer costs and could undercut American producers. Critics also raised concerns about foreign animal disease risks and urged a focus on domestic solutions such as regulatory reform and herd expansion. The move comes alongside a broader U.S.–Argentina trade and investment agreement that includes expanded market access provisions for various goods.
U.S.-India trade agreement details emerge (Agri-Pulse): The recently revealed U.S.–India trade agreement includes a series of agricultural concessions that have only begun to emerge. According to Agri-Pulse, the Trump administration said the pact will lower U.S. tariffs on Indian imports to about 18%, and in return India will cut duties on select American agricultural products, such as dried distillers’ grains, red sorghum, tree nuts, fruit, soybean oil, wine and spirits, and address some long-standing non-tariff barriers that have limited U.S. farm exports. The announcement also follows a broader trade framework in which India agreed to increase purchases of U.S. goods and halt purchases of Russian oil as part of deepening bilateral economic ties.
While officials framed the deal as a significant opportunity for U.S. producers to tap into India’s large and growing market, details remain limited and rural political dynamics in India could temper how far agricultural market access expands. Some U.S. industry groups, like sorghum growers, have welcomed their inclusion in the discussions, and sectors such as distilled spirits are pushing for tariff cuts similar to those secured by the European Union and United Kingdom. However, both countries have been cautious about liberalizing sensitive farm sectors, and full specifics on non-tariff barrier reductions are still forthcoming.