Kathmandu— United States President Donald Trump has announced he will allow the import of up to 300,000 tonnes of ground beef over the next three months without tariffs, aiming to lower prices for American consumers. The announcement, made via social media on Friday, detailed a commitment from foreign exporters to sell beef at 25 percent below current market prices. While Trump blamed his predecessor for rising costs and highlighted the deal's potential to benefit both consumers and the American beef herd, he did not specify which countries or companies are involved. A formal executive order is expected within two weeks.

Deal Details Remain Unclear

Trump stated that the agreement will “substantially lower” the price of ground beef, but provided no details regarding the source country for the imported beef or the specific entities participating in the deal. When questioned by Al Jazeera, a White House official confirmed an executive order formalizing the tariff relief is forthcoming. The official added that the tariff reduction is contingent on foreign exporters providing a 25 percent discount to be passed onto consumers.

Ranchers Express Concerns

The move has already drawn criticism from within Trump’s own party, with US Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana voicing concerns about the impact on American ranchers. Sheehy stated he had advised against this action for a year, citing existing struggles faced by cattle ranching families due to market consolidation. He suggested that the tariff waiver will further harm these producers, many of whom are supporters of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement.

Beef Prices and Supply Issues

The price of ground beef has risen significantly since Trump took office, increasing from $5.55 per pound in January 2025 to $6.89 as of July – a 24 percent increase overall and 10 percent year-over-year. Factors contributing to high prices include historically low cattle herd numbers, tariffs on imported beef, and the closure of the US-Mexican border due to screwworm disease concerns. The White House previously attempted to secure more beef from Argentina last October, which also faced opposition from domestic ranching groups.

The announcement comes ahead of pivotal midterm elections in November, where rising prices are expected to be a key issue for voters. Polling data indicates Democrats currently hold an advantage over Republicans on the issue of cost of living.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.