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Contact: R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard

Phone: 406-252-2516; r-calfusa

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In its comments, R-CALF USA argued that Brazil’s repeated disregard for U.S. tariff rate quotas, chronic food safety failures and history of corruption threaten American food security, along with American consumers and independent cattle producers.

According to USDA data, Brazil exceeded its 65,000 metric ton beef import quota within the first 17 days of 2025 and by midyear shipped more than five times its allotted quota into the United States.

In the comments, R-CALF USA said the surge in imports has coincided with the closure of more than 100,000 U.S. cattle operations and thousands of feedlots since 2017. By 2024, about 22% of beef consumed in the United States was imported, a trend the group argues undermines national security by reducing America’s ability to feed itself.

The group asked USTR and the administration to suspend Brazilian beef imports until a full investigation of Brazil’s production and processing practices is complete. It recommended that any resumption of imports be subject to a finite tariff rate quota that would allow the U.S. cattle industry to rebuild, expand, and encourage new entrants.

R-CALF USA also reiterated its call to reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling on all beef sold at retail so consumers can choose whether to purchase imported beef or support American producers.

“The flood of Brazilian beef imports into our market displaces American cattle operations, drives families off the land, weakens the domestic beef supply chain and makes our country more dependent on foreign food,” said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard. “We must stop allowing Brazil to undercut America’s food supply.”