Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary under President Donald Trump, said rising beef prices in the U.S. are partly caused by disease brought in by cattle from South America, blaming mass immigration for the problem.
Speaking on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” Bessent addressed concerns that Americans could soon see ground beef reach $10 per pound by 2026.
He said a combination of supply chain disruptions, long cattle cycles, and disease has created a “perfect storm” for higher prices.
“Because of the mass immigration, a disease that had been — we’d been rid of in North America — made its way up through South America,” Bessent said.
“These migrants brought some of their cattle with them.”
He pointed to screwworm, a livestock parasite, as the reason the U.S. government has restricted beef imports from Mexico.
“We’ve had to shut the border to Mexican beef because of this disease called the screwworm,” he said. “We’re not going to let that get into our supply chain.”
White House Claims Broader Economic Strategy in Place
Beef prices have been a growing concern for American families.
The CEO of Omaha Steaks recently told Fox News that the U.S. is headed for what he called “the $10-a-pound reality,” predicting prices won’t fall meaningfully until at least 2027.
Bessent didn’t deny the issue, but emphasized that the Trump administration is working aggressively to lower the overall costs of living.
“We are laser-focused on this issue,” he said. “We inherited this terrible inflation. We are flattening it out. I believe we’re going to push it down.”
Tax Relief and Refunds on the Way, Says Bessent
According to Bessent, a key part of that plan includes economic growth and tax relief.
He touted several of President Trump’s new tax policies, including no taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security, plus deductions for car loans on American-made vehicles.
He claimed these would result in significant refunds starting in early 2026.
“Working Americans will change their withholding, and they will get a bump up in their real income,” Bessent said.
“I would expect in the first two quarters we are going to see the inflation curve bend down and the real income curve substantially accelerate.”
When asked whether the administration is considering direct cash relief, Bessent confirmed a proposal is on the table.
“President Trump has also talked about sending $2,000 refunds to — and that would be for working families,” he said. “We’ll have an income limit. Those could go out.”
Trump Account for Newborns, Lower Food Tariffs Coming
Bessent also highlighted a new plan for children born after Jan. 1, 2026. Under the proposal, families would be eligible for a $1,000 “Trump Account” for each newborn.
“That’s going to go in the stock market, and that’s going to be invested for the next 18 years,” he said.
On trade policy, Bessent claimed the administration is working to bring down food prices through deals with Latin American countries.
He said tariffs will soon be lifted on several imported items, including coffee, cocoa, bananas, and spices. These changes are expected to reduce grocery costs for U.S. consumers.
“We signed the trade deals,” Bessent said. “Now we are going to see it affect the prices.”
Pressure on China and Supreme Court Case Over Tariffs
Bessent’s comments come as the Trump administration remains locked in tense negotiations with China over rare earth minerals and soybean purchases.
He said China has already begun buying soybeans under a recent agreement and warned that “all options are on the table” if China fails to hold up its end.
As for the Supreme Court case that could unravel Trump’s use of emergency tariffs, Bessent said he doesn’t expect the court to rule against them.
If it does, he questioned how refunds would be distributed, calling it a potential “mess” that would benefit importers unfairly.
Bessent Predicts Economic Boost in 2026
Despite the challenges, Bessent insisted the outlook for 2026 is strong. “I think 2026, thanks to President Trump’s signature plans, is going to be a great year for working Americans,” he said.
He called the administration’s economic approach “parallel prosperity,” saying, “Main Street and Wall Street can both do great, but I think Main Street’s going to have a great year in 2026.”
Conclusion: Blame or Distraction?
Bessent’s claim that immigrants are bringing diseased cattle into the U.S. struck many as surprising and even implausible. It raises questions about the seriousness of the claim and the intent behind it.
While screw worm outbreaks are a legitimate concern in agriculture, tying them directly to immigration policy and beef price inflation risks oversimplifying a complex economic and environmental issue.
Critics argue the comments deflect attention from systemic supply chain problems, climate factors, and market dynamics.
While cattle supply pressures and rising prices are well documented, Bessent’s framing places the blame on a narrative that lacks verification.
The New World screwworm outbreak in Mexico is real, and U.S. officials did suspend cattle imports in May 2025 as a precaution. However, there is no confirmed evidence that migrants are bringing cattle into the U.S. or that such activity has had any measurable effect on beef prices.
The “$10 per pound” prediction remains speculative. Although Bessent and others have floated the number, current USDA data show ground beef prices averaging around $6.30 and rising, driven primarily by a shrinking cattle herd, years of drought, and high feed costs.
Bessent’s Fox News appearance looked like a highly political performance where he stumbled and deceived his way through the interview. One of the more glaring omissions was any meaningful acknowledgment of the role Trump-era tariffs played in raising food costs.
The administration’s recent move to abolish certain tariffs on imported goods suggests a quiet recognition that those policies contributed to the problem.
As the administration rolls out new economic measures, it remains to be seen whether voters buy into this framing or demand more grounded explanations for the grocery bills hitting their wallets.