U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On March 23, 2026, U.S. Reps. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) and Sharice Davids (KS-03) sent a letter demanding the Administration reverse its Argentinian beef import policy, condemning it for putting large foreign corporations over American ranchers and consumers. The Administration’s plan to import Argentinian beef has received bipartisan backlash due to its failure to lower costs for consumers and the harm it inflicts on American ranchers, who have already been facing headwinds from the New World Screwworm, severe drought, tariffs, wildfire and rising input costs.
“Your prior policies, including the original bailout and now this expansion of Argentinian beef imports, continue to undermine domestic producers and fail to lower grocery costs for Americans,” the lawmakers wrote.
“This new Argentinian beef announcement threatens this by increasing market volatility at a time when American producers need support, not sabotage,” the lawmakers continued. “We urge you to reverse the Executive Order on Argentinian beef imports and instead invest in the domestic cattle industry, including smaller, family-owned operations that feed our country.”
In the letter to President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Vasquez and Davids raised concerns about a recent executive action allowing up to four times more Argentinian beef imports this year compared to years prior. Argentinian beef made up just two percent of U.S. beef imports in 2024, and economists say increasing imports is unlikely to lower consumer prices—while potentially increasing market volatility and benefiting large corporations over family ranchers.
Ranchers across southern New Mexico have raised concerns that increased imports would not bring down prices at the grocery store and could further squeeze domestic producers already struggling with higher costs and environmental challenges.
Rep. Vasquez’s and Rep. Davids’ letter reflects growing bipartisan concern about protecting U.S. cattle growers and ensuring trade policies do not harm domestic agriculture. It also builds on his long record of fighting for American ranchers.
On March 3, 2026, Rep. Vasquez secured unanimous, bipartisan support in the House Agriculture Committee for his Farm Bill amendment condemning the Administration’s push to prioritize Argentinian beef imports at the expense of our American cattle ranchers. In 2024, Vasquez adamantly opposed the Biden administration’s push to import beef from Paraguay. No matter the political party, Rep. Vasquez is fully committed to fighting for American ranchers.