The subject of beef imports from Argentina reportedly became one of the most charged topics of discussion during a closed-door lunch where Senate Republicans met with Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday.
The lunch served as a weekly policy discussion for the GOP caucus, with Vance attending to provide the administration's assessment on the ongoing government shutdown – now in its 28th day.
Punchbowl News reporter Andrew Desiderio said in a post on the social platform X that Vance was repeatedly pressed about the beef issue, and at one point quipped, “Does anyone have questions not about beef?”
"Vance was bombarded with questions about the Argentinian beef issue, per multiple attendees. GOP senators told him it was an 'insult' to farmers/ranchers," according to Desiderio.
Politico columnist Jonathan Martin reacted to the post and wrote, "This issue has taken off and Repub lawmakers know it ain’t Code Pink that’s hammering their offices on it."
The friction stemmed from the administration’s announced plan to increase beef imports from Argentina, a move that lawmakers representing major cattle-producing states say undercuts domestic ranchers.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from key agricultural leaders and lawmakers.
U.S. cattle producers and ranching associations, including National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), say the move undermines domestic producers’ interests.
NCBA CEO Colin Woodall said: “This plan only creates chaos at a critical time for American cattle producers, while doing nothing to lower grocery store prices.”
Some ranchers say it contradicts President Donald Trump’s previous “America First” trade messaging (i.e., supporting U.S. producers).
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have also raised concerns about the decision.
Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman (R-Ark.) said in a floor statement last week: “This administration is choosing foreign producers over American ranchers at a time when cattle prices are already under pressure.”
Rep. Tracey Mann (R-Kan.), a leading voice on the House Agriculture Committee, warned in a press release: “Increasing imports from Argentina will devastate rural communities and undermine decades of progress in building a safe, sustainable U.S. beef supply chain.”