Beef Markets Need Transparency, Not More Imports

October 21, 2025

President Trump’s plan to increase foreign beef imports will crush already struggling ranchers, said Montana Farmers Union President Walter Schweitzer.

Beef markets need enforcement of current anti-trust laws and mandatory Country of Origin Labeling to create truth for consumers and a fair playing field for ranchers. As cattle prices have increased, so too have costs, such as feed, fuel and equipment.

“When will Trump put the American farmer and rancher first?” Schweitzer said. “It is bad enough that we are giving $40 billion to bail out the Argentina economy while they exported billions of dollars of soybeans to China, but now we are going to allow Argentina to dump their beef scraps into the U.S. markets.”

Currently, America is importing more beef than ever in the country’s history, while cattle inventory is the smallest it’s been in more than seven decades because of droughts, depressed prices, and increased input costs. Limited – and misleading – competition with 85% of the meatpacking market controlled by just four meatpackers means ranchers get paid less while consumers pay more.

Beef and pork are the only foods that do not have mandatory Country of Origin Labeling that would ensure consumers know what they’re putting on their plates. Loopholes in the law allow for imported beef that is packaged in the U.S. to bear the “Product of USA” label, misleading consumers.

A coalition, including Montana Farmers Union, is pushing Congress to listen to consumers who want to know where their food comes from and Montana’s Legislature, which passed a resolution in support of MCOOL this year.

Already, Trump’s announcement has negatively impacted prices for American ranchers, causing the market to drop its limit.

“Expanding beef imports benefits the multinational beef packers at the expense of cattle ranching families and the consumers,” Schweitzer said.

“Instead of trying to undercut American ranchers, President Trump and Congress should be focused on creating fair markets that mean a more food secure America,” he added.

Learn more about Montana organizations’ efforts to restore COOL and support Montana ranchers at mtcool.org. 

Source: Montana Farmers Union