President Donald J. Trump issued Proclamation 11010 on February 6, 2026, temporarily increasing the tariff-rate quota for certain beef imports to address escalating beef prices and supply shortages in the United States. This executive action, published in the Federal Register on February 13, 2026, raises the in-quota quantity of lean beef trimmings by 80,000 metric tons for the calendar year, allocating the entire increase to Argentina. The move responds to a combination of natural disasters, disease-related import restrictions, and record-low cattle inventories that have driven ground beef prices to historic highs. By enhancing supply through targeted imports, the proclamation seeks to make beef more affordable for American consumers while invoking authority under the Uruguay Round Agreements Act and the Trade Act of 1974. This development highlights ongoing challenges in the U.S. agricultural sector and the use of trade policy to stabilize domestic markets.
Background on U.S. Beef Supply Challenges
The United States maintains its position as the world's largest beef consumer by volume, with per capita consumption ranking second globally. Beef forms a staple in the American diet, but recent environmental and external factors have strained domestic production. Starting in 2022, widespread droughts affected key beef-producing states including Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Kansas. These conditions persist in areas like Texas and Kansas, where precipitation is critical for growing forage crops to feed cattle herds. Livestock producers, reliant on natural grasslands, have faced reduced herd sizes and increased operational costs.
Wildfires have compounded these issues, particularly in the western U.S., damaging grasslands and leading to direct cattle losses from burns, as well as indirect effects such as disrupted grazing patterns and diminished feed supplies. Surviving cattle often experience suboptimal health, further reducing productivity. Additionally, U.S. ranchers have historically supplemented feedlot stocks with calves imported from Mexico. However, new detections of the New World screwworm in Mexico in May 2025 prompted the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to restrict imports of live animals from or transiting through Mexico. This restriction has limited domestic supplies even further.
As a result, the U.S. cattle inventory reached a record low of 94.2 million head by July 2025, including 28.7 million beef cows—a one percent decline from July 2023 and part of a continuing downward trend. These supply constraints have pushed beef prices upward, with ground beef averaging $6.69 per pound in December 2025, the highest since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking in the 1980s.
Key Players and Legal Framework
President Trump, citing his responsibility to ensure affordable food for Americans, acted on advice from the Secretary of Agriculture, who monitored domestic beef supplies and import levels under the existing tariff-rate quota. The proclamation invokes Section 404 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, which allows the president to temporarily increase in-quota imports if domestic supply is inadequate due to natural disasters, disease, or market disruptions, preventing reasonable prices. It also draws on Section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, authorizing modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
The U.S. Trade Representative, in consultation with Customs and Border Protection, is tasked with implementing necessary changes to the tariff schedule. The Secretary of Agriculture will continue monitoring supplies and advise on potential further actions. This framework stems from international trade agreements, including those from the Uruguay Round, which established tariff-rate quotas to balance import access with protection for domestic industries. Precedents include past adjustments to agricultural quotas during supply crises, such as temporary increases in sugar imports during shortages.
Details of the Proclamation
Under Proclamation 11010, the aggregate in-quota quantity for certain beef products under Additional U.S. Note 3 of Chapter 2 in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule is increased by 80,000 metric tons for 2026. This applies specifically to lean beef trimmings classified under statistical reporting numbers 0201.30.5091, 0201.30.5097, 0202.30.5091, and 0202.30.5097—products often blended with domestic trimmings to produce ground beef like hamburgers.
The increase is allocated entirely to Argentina and administered in four quarterly tranches of 20,000 metric tons each, opening on February 13, April 1, July 1, and October 1, 2026, respectively, on a first-come, first-served basis. This structured approach aims to provide steady supply throughout the year without overwhelming markets. The proclamation supersedes inconsistent prior executive actions and directs agencies to implement measures accordingly.
Implications and Perspectives
In the short term, this quota increase could ease pressure on ground beef prices by boosting imports of lean trimmings, which reached a record 4.64 billion pounds in 2024—a 24 percent rise from 2023—despite available protein alternatives. Consumers may benefit from more stable or reduced costs, aligning with the proclamation's goal of affordability. However, domestic ranchers might face increased competition, potentially exacerbating challenges for an industry already hit by herd contractions.
Long-term implications include shifts in trade dynamics, as allocating the full increase to Argentina strengthens bilateral ties but could prompt concerns from other suppliers like Australia or Brazil. Perspectives vary: consumer advocacy groups may welcome the relief, while agricultural lobbies, such as the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, might argue it undermines domestic producers without addressing root causes like drought resilience. Environmental groups could highlight the need for sustainable practices amid climate-driven disasters. Internationally, this reflects how U.S. trade policy adapts to global supply chains, potentially influencing negotiations in forums like the World Trade Organization.
The proclamation underscores broader political forces, including executive authority in trade amid economic pressures. It avoids endorsing protectionism or free trade extremes, instead using targeted adjustments to meet immediate needs.
In summary, Proclamation 11010 represents a pragmatic response to multifaceted supply disruptions, leveraging trade tools to support consumers. Potential next steps include ongoing monitoring by the Secretary of Agriculture, which could lead to further quota adjustments if conditions persist. Challenges remain in rebuilding cattle herds and adapting to climate variability, fueling debates on agricultural policy, import dependencies, and long-term food security. Stakeholders will watch how this affects markets, with possibilities for legislative responses or international agreements to address similar future disruptions.
