Trump Administration Resumes Mexico Cattle Imports After 1-Year Border Closure
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 25
Trump Administration Resumes Mexico Cattle Imports After 1-Year Border Closure
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 25
Summary
Southern U.S. ports will reopen to cattle imports from Mexico, reversing a shutdown that had lasted about a year and strained ranchers and beef supply chains.
Pressure from Republicans and the cattle industry had mounted as the closure helped keep cattle prices high, even after Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins had resisted reopening.
USDA said containing New World screwworm remains the priority, with Rollins arguing the closure was necessary to stop the parasite from spreading north from Mexico.
The border was first closed by the Biden administration in November 2024 after a screwworm case in southern Mexico, briefly reopened after Trump took office in 2025, then shut again as the pest advanced.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller welcomed the move but said it came too late, warning the prolonged halt had already disrupted producers and supply chains.