DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado lawmakers are sharing tougher stances on U.S. beef after Colorado cattle producers spoke out against comments made by President Donald Trump, suggesting the U.S. should buy more beef from Argentina to help cut costs.
“We’re going to buy some beef from Argentina,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday. “If we do that, it will bring down our beef prices.”
Colorado ranchers were quick to respond, voicing strong opposition and calling for support for American ranchers and farmers. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and members of the U.S. House of Representatives also spoke Friday.
“If the president floods the market with Argentine beef, he will crush Colorado’s hardworking farmers and ranchers, turning his back on the industry that helps drive our Western economy and puts food on our tables,” Polis said in a statement. “In the wake of A $20 billion bailout for Argentina During a government shutdown, when American families face hunger and rising health care costs, it would be worse to intentionally harm American farmers.
“This reckless move will require actions from American farmers and ranchers to support the president’s friend, and I love Javier Miley as much as the next guy with great hair, but helping him does not justify hurting ranchers. If the president moves forward, it will be a slap in the face to hardworking producers across the country,” Polis said.
Why does beef cost so much?
According to the USDA, the reason for the rise in beef prices is the decline in beef in the United States: the national herd has reached a 75-year low, with consumer demand increasing by 9% over the past decade.
However, the agency noted that increasing herd size takes time, and shared A plan designed to support this goal.
“At USDA, we protect our beef industry and incentivize new ranchers to pursue the noble profession of raising cattle,” USDA said. Brooke Rollins in Wednesday’s edition. “Today, USDA will immediately accelerate deregulation reforms, enhance processing capacity, including getting more domestic beef into schools, and work across government to fix long-standing common-sense barriers for ranchers such as outdated grazing restrictions.”
The USDA also noted that since 2017, more than 17% of US family farms have been lost. The Colorado Cattlemen’s Association told FOX31 on Tuesday that livestock production is the state’s No. 1 agricultural commodity. Ranchers raise more than 2.7 million head of cattle in the state, and in 2024, the state exported $1.3 billion worth of beef.
Colorado Agriculture Commissioner Kate Greenberg also weighed in, saying importing “cheap Argentine beef” would undercut Colorado producers, among other impacts.
“Colorado producers lead in stewardship and sustainability, and our high standards of animal husbandry and quality are what consumers really want. Federal intervention and timing of import-related announcements only exacerbates the suffering of our domestic producers, impacting their ability to rebuild their herds and obtain fair prices for their livestock,” Greenberg said in a Polis statement. “The federal government must focus more on expanding “Market opportunities for American beef, which is what we’re focused on here in Colorado.”
Bipartisan statement calling on Trump to reconsider
The reports were He shared on Friday that a White House staffer He said that Trump intends to quadruple the tariff quota on beef imported from Argentina, in an attempt to reduce food prices in the United States, which led to reactions from Members of Congress across the country.
Colorado’s bipartisan House delegation, which includes Reps. Joe Neguse, Jeff Hurd, Lauren Boebert, Jeff Crank, Jason Crow, Deanna DeGette, Gabe Evans, and Brittany Petersen, signed a statement issued in support of local ranchers and rural economies in Colorado.
“Colorado’s beef industry – and the farmers, ranchers and producers who have sustained it over generations – is essential to the vitality of our state’s economy and our nation’s food security,” the delegation said.
“While we recognize the importance of fair and strong trade relationships and diverse markets, we urge the administration to reconsider the increase in Argentine beef imports that could pose a risk to the domestic livestock market and countless individuals across our state whose livelihoods depend on it,” the delegation continued. “Together, we must stand up for Colorado livestock producers and consumers alike, prioritizing American beef and working to strengthen our agricultural industry for the future.”
The delegation He referred to a report from The Colorado Office of Planning and Budget showed that a decline in beef exports could result in the loss of more than 260 jobs and about $80 million in reduced economic production.
Polis also noted that Colorado ranks fifth in the country in beef exports and that beef is a major driver of the state’s agricultural economy.
Polis said the United States exported a total of $10.45 billion in beef and beef products in 2024, and the top exporting countries were Mexico, Canada, South Korea, Japan and China. Polis said these countries all face “once again cutting tariffs” from Trump.