American ranchers and farmers are increasingly voicing their frustration with President Donald Trump’s tariffs and cozy deals with Argentina.

Trump’s policies, they say, are having a devastating effect on American ag production and the bottom line for farmers.

Top of mind this week: Trump’s proposal that the U.S. buy beef from Argentina to lower meat prices at America’s supermarkets.

“This plan only creates chaos at a critical time of the year for American cattle producers, while doing nothing to lower grocery store prices,”  said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall in a statement on Monday.

Republican Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska said Tuesday that Trump’s suggestion of buying Argentina’s beef will hurt American cattle ranchers and fail to lower prices.

“Bottom line: if the goal is addressing beef prices at the grocery store, this isn’t the way,” Fischer posted on X.

Since hearing the president’s comments suggesting the U.S. would buy beef from Argentina, I’ve been in touch with his administration and my colleagues to seek clarity and express my deep concerns.

I’ve also been sounding the alarm on the bleak state of our ag economy and the…

— Senator Deb Fischer (@SenatorFischer) October 21, 2025

Opponents to Trump’s proposal contend that buying Argentinian beef would disrupt the free market and bring risk to America’s domestic beef supply.

Woodall pointed out that Argentina  has a history of foot-and-mouth disease. He warned that if introduced here by Argentinian beef imports, it could “decimate” U.S. livestock production.

In 2024, cattle production contributed 22% of the $515 billion in agricultural commodity cash receipts, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“I strongly encourage the Trump administration to focus on trade deals that benefit our ag producers — not imports that will do more harm than good,” Fischer said.

Related Story: Trump Plan to Import Argentine Beef Angers US Farmers

Trump’s Loyalty to Argentina’s President

If you’re wondering why Trump would risk angering American farmers, who have loyally supported him in the voting booth, you might remember that Argentinian President Javier Milei is a longtime political ally. With Argentina in economic turmoil, Trump is lending an old friend significant help.

This aid includes a $20 billion infusion from the U.S. Treasury Department to Argentina’s central bank to prop up that country’s currency, the peso.

Reuters LSO reported last week that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. was working with banks and investment funds to create a $20 billion facility to invest in the South American country’s sovereign debt.

If the second deal materializes, that would bring the total U.S. aid to Argentina in this round of Trump dealmaking to $40 billion.

Asked to explain his rationale for providing Argentina with a huge economic bailout, Trump told reporters: “If I can help them survive in a free world — I happen to like the president of Argentina. I think he’s trying to do the best he can. But don’t make it sound like they’re doing great. They are dying.”

Soybean Farmers : Loss of China Market Is a Trump-Made Disaster

Illinois soybean farmer John Bartman doesn’t mince words when talking about the Trump administration’s policies.

“Let’s be clear: This is a man-made disaster caused by Donald Trump and his administration,” Bartman, a fifth-generation farmer, told USA Today.

The biggest market for U.S. soybean growers is China and, thanks to Trump’s tariff wars, China is no longer an option. Striking back in the ongoing trade dispute, China is now buying from other countries.

One of those other countries is Argentina.

On Sept. 23, China bought 7 million metric tons of soybeans from Argentina after that country suspended export taxes to make the deal.

The suspension of export taxes will last until the end of October or until a $7B cap is reached. Taxes had been 26% on soybeans, 24.5% on soy products and 9.5% on corn. pic.twitter.com/nQugDcN5CG

— Karen Braun (@kannbwx) September 24, 2025

Said U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kansas): “We’re seeing an administration with a reckless and unpredictable approach that has led to, literally, the fastest farm bankruptcy pace that we’ve seen in five years.”