House Republicans grill Trump official on Canadian beef imports

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer faced tough questions from House Republicans on Wednesday over the Trump administration’s trade tensions with Canada and its recent move to cut beef import tariffs.

The closed-door meeting at the GOP’s weekly lunch highlighted growing unease among Republican lawmakers, many of whom represent rural districts where cattle ranchers fear cheaper foreign beef could undercut domestic prices. The tariff reduction, part of a broader push to expand market access, has drawn backlash from farm groups and some lawmakers who argue it threatens U.S. producers without securing meaningful concessions from Canada. The dispute also reflects lingering frustration over Canada’s trade policies, including its supply management system for dairy, which the U.S. has long criticized as protectionist.

Greer defended the administration’s approach, framing the tariff adjustment as a strategic step to pressure Canada into broader trade negotiations. But some Republicans pressed for assurances that the White House would prioritize protections for American ranchers, according to sources familiar with the discussion. The U.S. cattle industry, a key GOP constituency, has warned that increased imports could depress prices at a time when producers are already grappling with high feed costs and drought conditions in key states.

The confrontation signals a potential rift between the Trump administration and its usual allies in Congress over trade policy. With negotiations with Canada at a standstill, lawmakers are likely to keep pushing for a harder line, setting up a test of whether the White House will adjust its strategy or double down on its current course. The outcome could shape the future of U.S.-Canada trade relations and the political dynamics ahead of the 2026 midterms.