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The U.S. Department of Justice has expanded its investigation into beef affordability, now targeting eight of the nation’s largest grocery retailers.
Assistant Attorney General Woodward sent letters to the following companies regarding recent increases in retail beef prices:
Kroger
Aldi
Costco
Walmart
Amazon
Publix
Albertsons
Ahold Delhaize USA
“Beef prices are a critical concern to Americans, and a priority for this Justice Department,” the DOJ said in a statement.
Trump expands beef imports
On Aug. 26, President Trump signed a proclamation increasing the amount of lean beef trimmings that can be imported into the United States at lower tariff rates, building on earlier action taken in February 2026.
The new proclamation adds 300,000 metric tons to the in-quota quantity of lean beef trimmings allowed under the U.S. beef import tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for the remainder of 2026. The imports will be distributed in three 30-day tranches — 100,000 metric tons each in September, October and November — on a first-come, first-served basis.
Trump cited several factors driving the need for action, including restrictions on live animal imports from Mexico due to the New World Screwworm, drought and wildfire conditions in cattle-producing regions and what the proclamation calls the prior administration’s “War on Cattle.”
“As President of the United States, I have a responsibility to ensure that hard-working Americans can afford to feed themselves and their families,” Trump wrote in the proclamation.
The proclamation also includes a price-monitoring provision. If imported lean beef trimmings are not being sold at least 25 percent below current market prices, Trump has indicated he may cancel the remaining import quotas to prevent what he described as a “windfall to foreign producers.”
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