U.S. Reopens Mexican Cattle Imports to Address Record Beef Prices
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is reopening a border crossing in Douglas, Arizona, to cattle imports from Mexico. This decision is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to mitigate record-high beef prices in the U.S. The move comes after the border was closed to livestock imports from Mexico in May 2025 due to concerns about the New World screwworm. The USDA has indicated that the risk of screwworm spread has diminished sufficiently to allow this reopening. President Trump also announced a plan to allow up to 331,000 tons of tariff-free imported ground beef into the U.S. for 90 days to be sold at below-market prices. The U.S. cattle herd is currently at its smallest in 75 years, contributing to the elevated beef prices. The phased reopening of the border means it will take months for Mexican imports to return to traditional levels, which historically accounted for about 3% of the U.S. cattle supply. 
