The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) formally petitioned the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to launch a global safeguard investigation into U.S. imports of lamb meat under Sections 201-202 of the Trade Act of 1974.
The request, submitted on behalf of ASI’s 42 state associations and more than 100,000 farms and ranches, seeks federal intervention to address what the group describes as “serious economic injury” caused by imported lamb products. According to ASI, imported lamb—often sold below domestic market prices—has displaced U.S. production, eroded profitability and jeopardized the long-term viability of the nation’s sheep industry.
“This investigation request is the culmination of months of ASI’s independent research and advocacy,” said ASI President Ben Lehfeldt. “Our members have made it clear that immediate federal action is necessary to restore fair competition and protect America’s sheep producers.”
To support the petition, ASI submitted public and confidential reports to USTR detailing market data, import trends and financial injury collected from U.S. lamb companies. The analysis found that U.S. lamb imports surged from 213.6 million pounds in 2020 to 309.3 million pounds in 2024, a nearly 45% increase.
By 2024, imports captured roughly 70% of the domestic market, with imported square-cut lamb shoulders averaging 10.8% lower in price than U.S. product—and in some cases, nearly 20% lower.
Callahan pledges support
During her Oct. 29 Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing, USTR Chief Agricultural Negotiator nominee Julie Callahan directly addressed concerns about rising imports of both lamb and beef, echoing ASI’s warnings about the pressures facing U.S. ranchers. In testimony prompted by Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), she acknowledged that “we have farmers—second- and third-generation farmers—that are at risk of losing their ranches,” emphasizing that “they’re being outcompeted by imports.”
“The challenges faced by U.S. sheep producers are top of mind,” Callahan said. “If confirmed, I am committed to ensuring that American lamb producers have a fair shake and can compete for the domestic market. They’re being outcompeted by imports—we want to see that reversed.”
The hearing also focused heavily on beef imports and trade barriers affecting U.S. cattle producers. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) criticized the administration’s recent negotiations with Argentina, saying expanded Argentine beef imports were “undermining confidence” among U.S. ranchers without meaningfully reducing consumer prices.
“The administration says this will lower beef prices for consumers, but Argentina accounts for just about 2% of our imported beef,” Bennet said. “Even if that amount were quadrupled, it would be nowhere near enough to change grocery store prices—it did change confidence.”
Callahan responded that the ongoing negotiations with Argentina were designed to be reciprocal, not one-sided. “My intention is to signal to U.S. farmers and ranchers that my single-minded effort across our negotiations is to open market access to benefit U.S. producers,” she said. “This will not be a one-way conversation about beef—we would like to see beef access into Argentina as well.”
Barrasso pressed Callahan for assurances that imports would not undercut U.S. ranchers, noting that “in my home state of Wyoming, cattle outnumber people by more than two to one” and that ranchers are “the lifeblood of so many communities.” Callahan affirmed that her mandate was to reverse the U.S. agricultural trade deficit—now a $34 billion deficit, compared to a $6 billion surplus four years earlier—and to “ensure that U.S. cattlemen have access to markets around the world.”
Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) underscored that U.S. beef exports to China, once buoyed by the 2017 market reopening, have fallen sharply since March due to “serious trade barriers.” Callahan agreed, describing China’s behavior as “retaliation” and pledging to “reverse that trend and rebuild access to the Chinese market.” She added, “We don’t want to over-rely on China as an export market, but we also don’t want that market to be zero.”
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) echoed those concerns, warning that “American beef is the best in the world—by far—and more and more countries want access to that. They’re blocking us out because they know we have better beef than theirs.” He pressed Callahan to pursue new trade deals aggressively, saying producers are eager for expanded market access “for beef and everything else.”
The testimony reinforced ASI’s case for immediate federal relief as lamb and beef producers face mounting pressure from imports. Lehfeldt praised the senators’ attention stating, “We greatly appreciate Senator Barrasso for raising the issue of lamb imports during the hearing, and Dr. Callahan for her knowledge of the issue and her interest in supporting U.S. sheep producers. This attention underscores the importance of fair trade and the need for federal action.”— Charles Wallace, WLJ contributing editor
