Further Ensuring Affordable Beef for the American Consumer

( printed page 55989) Proclamation 11059 of August 26, 2026 Further Ensuring Affordable Beef for the American Consumer A Proclamation 1. In Proclamation 11010 of February 6, 2026 (Ensuring Affordable Beef for the American Consumer), I found that cattle ranchers in the United States have played, and continue to play, an integral role in food production for the United States; that the United States is the world's largest consumer of beef and is a large importer of beef; that, because of recent circumstances, beef prices have increased unreasonably for United States consumers; that imports into the United States of certain beef products, including lean beef trimmings, are currently subject to the United States tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for beef; and that the United States supply of lean beef trimmings or directly competitive or substitutable agricultural products will be inadequate to meet domestic demand at reasonable prices because of a natural disaster and major national market disruption. Accordingly, in Proclamation 11010, I took action to address the elevated beef prices for United States consumers, including the elevated price of ground beef. Specifically, I increased the in-quota amount for lean beef trimmings from Argentina by 80,000 metric tons (mt) for the calendar year 2026, thereby increasing the supply of ground beef available to United States consumers. 2. In accordance with 19 U.S.C. 3601(c) , the appropriate senior executive branch official has monitored the domestic supply of beef products subject to a TRQ since the issuance of Proclamation 11010, as well as the increase in imports of lean beef trimmings as a result of the action in Proclamation 11010. That official has also advised me on the forecasted increase in domestic beef consumption and prices and on whether the domestic supply of beef products and substitutable products combined with the estimated imports of beef products subject to the TRQ may be inadequate to meet current domestic demand at reasonable prices. And that official, after consulting with other relevant senior executive branch officials, has informed me that additional action may be necessary to ensure affordable ground beef for United States consumers and has recommended to me certain additional actions. 3. Among other things, senior executive branch officials have informed me that even though the action taken in Proclamation 11010 has increased beef imports from Argentina, the supply contraction in the United States beef industry coupled with the growing demand for beef is resulting in higher beef prices that are expected to continue absent further action. For example, United States restrictions on live animal imports from Mexico, which are currently necessary to protect United States livestock from the introduction of the New World Screwworm, continue to affect United States cattle production as the Department of Agriculture conducts a phased reopening of southern cattle ports. In addition, due in part to the policies of the prior Administration's War on Cattle, the United States herd has fallen to its lowest level in 75 years. While Department of Agriculture data suggests the herd began early stages of growth in July 2026, the herd will continue to face drought and wildfire conditions across cattle producing regions, increasing costs for cattle producers and putting additional strain on ranchers' ability to retain the breeding stock needed to grow the United States herd. ( printed page 55990) As a result of these and other factors, the Department of Agriculture forecasts beef output to fall this year by around 4 percent from 2025 levels. 4. Due to growing consumer awareness of the health benefits and consistent quality of United States-produced beef, the Department of Agriculture forecasts that domestic beef consumption will increase for the remainder of 2026. Consequently, the price of this critical source of protein for many Americans remains elevated and is expected to continue to be elevated absent additional action. 5. As President of the United States, I have a responsibility to ensure that hard-working Americans can afford to feed themselves and their families. After considering the information and advice provided to me pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 3601(c) and Proclamation 11010, among other relevant information, I determine that the supply of beef products, including ground beef, or directly competitive or substitutable agricultural products will be inadequate to meet domestic demand at reasonable prices because of natural disasters, disease, or major national market disruptions. Accordingly, I determine that it is necessary and appropriate to temporarily increase the quantity of lean beef trimmings subject to the in-quota rate of duty established under the United States beef import TRQ by 300,000 mt, as further described below and in the Annex to this proclamation. 6. In my judgment, the action in this proclamation is appropriate, necessary to ensure that imports of agricultural products do not disrupt the orderly marketing of commodities in the United States, and necessary to ensure that the supply of ground beef will be adequate to meet domestic demand at reasonable prices. 7. I anticipate that the action taken in this proclamation will result in the importation of ground beef that will be sold at a discounted price compared to current sale prices, helping to ensure hard-working Americans can afford to feed themselves and their families. If the action taken in this proclamation does not result in a lower sale price of imported ground beef, I may end the action taken in this proclamation in order to, among other things, prevent a windfall to foreign producers. 8. Section 404 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA) (Public Law 103-465, 108 Stat. 4809, 4959-61 ( 19 U.S.C. 3601 )) authorizes the President, in certain circumstances, to modify TRQs on certain agricultural products. In particular, section 404(b) of the URAA ( 19 U.S.C. 3601(b) ) provides that where imports of an agricultural product are subject to a TRQ, and where the President determines and proclaims that the supply of the same or directly competitive or substitutable agricultural product will be inadequate, because of a natural disaster, disease, or major national market disruption, to meet domestic demand at reasonable prices, the President may temporarily increase the quantity of imports of the agricultural product that is subject to the in-quota rate of duty established under the TRQ. Further, section 404(a) of the URAA ( 19 U.S.C. 3601(a) ) provides that in implementing applicable TRQs, the President must take such action as may be necessary to ensure that imports of agricultural products do not disrupt the orderly marketing of commodities in the United States. In addition, section 404(d)(3) of the URAA ( 19 U.S.C. 3601(d)(3) ) provides that the President may allocate the in-quota quantity of a TRQ for any agricultural product among supplying countries or customs areas and may modify any allocation as determined appropriate by the President. 9. Section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended ( 19 U.S.C. 2483 ) (section 604), authorizes the President to embody in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) the substance of statutes affecting import treatment, and actions thereunder, including the removal, modification, continuance, or imposition of any rate of duty or other import restriction. NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 404 of the URAA; section ( printed page 55991) 604; and section 301 of title 3, United States Code , do hereby proclaim as follows: (1) For the calendar year 2026, the aggregate in-quota quantity for certain products described in Additional United States Note 3 of Chapter 2 of the HTSUS will be increased by 300,000 mt. (2) The additional 300,000 mt described in clause (1) of this proclamation will apply only to lean beef trimmings classifiable under HTSUS statistical reporting numbers 0201.30.5091, 0201.30.5097, 0202.30.5091, and 0202.30.5097. (3) The additional 300,000 mt described in clauses (1) and (2) of this proclamation will be administered on a first come, first served basis in three 30 day tranches. The first tranche of 100,000 mt will open on September 1, 2026, and close on September 30, 2026. The second tranche of 100,000 mt will open on October 1, 2026, and close on October 30, 2026. The third tranche of 100,000 mt will open on October 31, 2026, and will remain open until the additional in-quota quantity is filled or November 30, 2026, whichever is earlier. (4) The additional 300,000 mt described in clauses (1) and (2) of this proclamation is allocated in its entirety to “other countries or areas.” (5)(a) To establish the TRQ amendments described in this proclamation, the HTSUS is modified as set forth in the Annex to this proclamation. (b) The United States Trade Representative (Trade Representative), in consultation with any senior official he deems appropriate, shall determine whether any additional modifications to the HTSUS are necessary to effectuate this proclamation and shall make such modifications to the HTSUS through notice in the Federal Register , including any technical or ministerial corrections to the Annex to this proclamation. (c) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shall ensure that all eligible countries have full access to the temporary increase to the TRQ in accordance with this proclamation and the Annex to this proclamation. CBP is authorized to take any appropriate measures or make any operational adjustments to administer, implement, and enforce this proclamation. (6)(a) The Secretary of Agriculture shall continue to monitor the domestic supply of lean beef trimmings, as the Secretary considers appropriate, and shall advise my Administration on the domestic supply of lean beef trimmings or directly competitive or substitutable products, combined with the estimated imports of such products under the TRQ as adjusted by this proclamation, and how such availability relates to domestic demand for ground beef at reasonable prices. The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with other senior executive branch officials, shall inform me of any circumstances that, in the Secretary's opinion, might indicate the need for further action and shall recommend to me any additional action I should take, if necessary. (b) The Secretary of Agriculture and the Trade Representative, in consultation with any other senior executive branch official they deem appropriate, shall monitor whether the imports of lean beef trimmings entered under the increased in-quota quantity established in this proclamation are being sold at a price 25 percent below the market price for lean beef trimmings. If the Secretary of Agriculture and the Trade Representative determine that imports entering under the increased in-quota quantity established in this proclamation are not being sold at a price that is 25 percent below the market price for lean beef trimmings, the Secretary and the Trade Representative shall immediately notify me, so that I may determine whether to eliminate what remains of the increased in-quota quantity established in this proclamation. (7) To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Trade Representative ( printed page 55992) are directed and authorized to take all actions that are appropriate to implement and effectuate this proclamation and any actions contemplated by this proclamation—including through temporary suspension or amendment of regulations or through notices in the Federal Register and by adopting rules, regulations, or guidance—and to employ all delegable powers granted to me, including by section 404 of the URAA, as may be appropriate to implement and effectuate this proclamation. The head of each executive department and agency (agency) is authorized to and shall take all appropriate measures within the agency's authority to implement this proclamation. The head of each agency may, consistent with applicable law, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code , redelegate any of these functions within their respective agencies. (8) Nothing in this proclamation shall affect the increased in-quota quantity established in Proclamation 11010 and allocated to Argentina. (9) Any provision of previous proclamations and Executive Orders that is inconsistent with the actions taken in this proclamation is superseded to the extent of such inconsistency. If any provision of this proclamation or the application of any provision to any individual or circumstance is held to be invalid, the remainder of this proclamation and the application of its provisions to any other individuals or circumstances shall not be affected. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first. ( printed page 55993) ( printed page 55994) Billing code 3395-F4-P [ FR Doc. 2026-17842 Filed 8-28-26; 11:15 am] Billing code 7020-02-C