Bennet, Hickenlooper, Cortez Masto, Colleagues Call on Trump Administration to Reverse Plan to Import Beef from Argentina

Oct 27, 2025| Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet, member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and John Hickenlooper joined U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and 13 Senate Democratic colleagues to urge U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer to reverse the Trump Administration's reckless plan to import more beef from Argentina.

"We write in strong opposition to the Administration's undeveloped plan to increase imports of Argentinian beef," wrote Bennet, Hickenlooper, Cortez Masto, and the senators. "This announcement has already had tangible market impacts felt by cattle producers across the country, at a time when cattle producers are looking for long-term stability to rebuild their herds. Rather than reward Argentina's president and agricultural producers, we encourage you to focus on policies that support American farmers and ranchers and that bring down costs for all Americans."

In their letter, the senators underscored that the decision to increase imports of Argentinian beef will harm American farmers and ranchers and could introduce serious threats to livestock health.

"In addition, we are concerned that this plan could also introduce serious animal health threats that further cripple U.S. cattle production at a time of low cattle supply…" continued the senators. "…these animal health threats would pose severe risks to U.S. livestock production, disrupt domestic and international trade, and have far-reaching economic consequences across rural communities and the agricultural supply chain."

The senators further argued that in order to lower consumer prices and better support U.S. producers, the Trump Administration should end its incoherent, across-the-board tariffs, which are driving market instability, upending export markets, and increasing costs.

"Instead of introducing additional volatility into the market, we urge you to implement a trade policy that uses targeted tariffs and other tools to ensure U.S. producers can fairly compete in the global marketplace while also ensuring Americans have access to healthy, affordable foods," concluded the senators.

In addition to Bennet, Hickenlooper, and Cortez Masto, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Ben Rey Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) signed the letter.

The text of the letter is available HERE and below.

Dear Ambassador Greer,

We write in strong opposition to the Administration's undeveloped plan to increase imports of Argentinian beef. This announcement has already had tangible market impacts felt by cattle producers across the country, at a time when cattle producers are looking for long-term stability to rebuild their herds. Rather than reward Argentina's president and agricultural producers, we encourage you to focus on policies that support American farmers and ranchers and that bring down costs for all Americans.

If the Administration wants to address consumer prices and support U.S. farmers and ranchers, it should end the chaotic, across-the-board tariffs that are driving market instability, upending valuable export markets, and increasing the cost of equipment and other inputs.

In addition, we are concerned that this plan could also introduce serious animal health threats that further cripple U.S. cattle production at a time of low cattle supply. Argentina has a history of foot-and-mouth disease and ongoing issues with New World Screwworm. The introduction of either one of these animal health threats would pose severe risks to U.S. livestock production, disrupt domestic and international trade, and have far-reaching economic consequences across rural communities and the agricultural supply chain.

Instead of introducing additional volatility into the market, we urge you to implement a trade policy that uses targeted tariffs and other tools to ensure U.S. producers can fairly compete in the global marketplace while also ensuring Americans have access to healthy, affordable foods.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

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