Total U.S. beef exports came in a little more than $19 billion last year, with more than half going to the three countries facing the most tariffs: Mexico, China, and Canada.
The meat industry says they are just waiting to see how the situation pans out.
“Obviously very concerning at a very high level, but we’ll have to just see how this all plays out because there’s a lot of moving parts and remains to be seen exactly what the potential impact is short term,” said Dan Halstrom, President and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
Halstrom says for the long term, they are hoping to get through these tariff issues with minimal impact.
The Meat Institute also wants action, calling for the removal of non-tariff trade barriers, in hopes of opening new markets for meat producers. They warn that retaliatory tariffs from China will stunt growth, and say that UK policies unfairly restrict meat and poultry exports. The group tells U.S. Trade Rep Jamieson Greer they want to work with the Administration, saying they need support to open new markets for producers.
Pork producers warn that proposed definitions of “ultra-processed” food in guidelines from the “Make America Healthy Again” plan could negatively impact industry-standard bacon, sausage, and feed practices.
December 22, 2025 01:38 PM
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Concerns over Chronic Wasting Disease are fueling a long-standing legal battle between Minnesota regulators and deer farmers. The case could soon reach the state’s Supreme Court with broader implications for agriculture.
December 22, 2025 01:31 PM
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The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) are praising the passage of a bill to delist gray wolves as an endangered species by the U.S. House last week.
December 22, 2025 01:23 PM
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Recent USDA export sales data show China has been active in the U.S. market, but analysts tell RFD-TV News that the timing is a key clue.
December 22, 2025 12:45 PM
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Tight feeder supplies and lower placements indicate continued support for the cattle market, with regional impacts heightened in Texas by reduced feeder imports.
December 22, 2025 10:10 AM
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Cattle markets are watching the Cattle-on-Feed Report for signs of tighter supplies, while USMEF warns limited China access is cutting producer profits.
December 19, 2025 01:05 PM
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