Trump loves to say, “America First,” but his actions tell a different story.

 

In October, the Trump Administration announced a $40 billion bailout for Argentina’s struggling economy – one of the largest direct foreign rescue packages in decades. Shortly thereafter, the administration moved to quadruple U.S. imports of Argentine beef, citing efforts to lower grocery prices. 

Both announcements came amid a government shutdown over rising health care costs, as American farmers suffered from Trump’s trade war and federal workers went unpaid. The moves sparked widespread backlash – including from Trump’s own supporters and U.S. ranchers, who questioned Trump’s decision to bail out a country with a long history of loan defaults and to supplement foreign competitors while prices soar at home and family farms face bankruptcy. 

Here’s more on Trump’s Argentine bailout and beef purchases – and why they put Argentina first, not Americans.

Public Opinion: 

An October 2025 poll by The Economist/YouGov asked respondents about the U.S. providing up to $40 billion to stabilize Argentina’s economy.

  • 20% approved, 56% disapproved.

  • Among 2024 Trump voters, roughly 48% disapproved.

There is also widespread opposition from U.S. ranchers and producers to Trump’s plan to dramatically expand imports of Argentine beef. 

  • "A deal of this magnitude with Argentina would undercut the very foundation of our cattle industry," said Justin Tupper, President of the United States Cattlemen's Association.

  • "Policy and statements which unduly influence and undermine the domestic cattle market threaten our domestic food security and are not helpful,” said Congressman Adrian Smith, Republican from Nebraska. 

  • "It's a contradiction of what we believed his new course of action was. We thought he was on the right track," said the President of R-CALF, Bill Bullard.

A Costly and Dangerous Bailout:

  • Prioritizing Argentina over Americans. In the middle of a government shutdown, Trump is sending tens of billions overseas – money that could reopen the government or reduce health care costs. The $40 billion bailout is nearly twice the cost of extending ACA tax credits for a full year.

  • A Bailout for Trump’s Friends, not for U.S. Interests. Argentina is not a major trading partner. But Trump has a close relationship with Argentine President Javier Milei and has tied the release of U.S. funds to Milei’s electoral success.

  • Endless Bailouts. Argentina already received a $20 billion rescue package from the IMF just six months ago, yet Trump is now doubling down with another $40 billion in U.S. support. Argentina remains the IMF’s largest debtor and its most frequent bailout recipient, raising concerns that U.S. taxpayers are footing the bill for an endless cycle of failed rescues.

  • More allegations of corruption and self-dealing. Reports indicate that senior Trump Administration officials have close personal and financial ties to investors with major holdings in Argentina’s economy – investors who stand to profit greatly from the bailout’s success. 

A Betrayal of American Farmers and Ranchers: 

  • Abandoning American Farmers. Trump’s trade war pushed China to buy soybeans from Argentina instead of the U.S. And now his bailout is effectively subsidizing the very farmers undercutting American producers.

  • Undermining U.S. Ranchers. Expanded Argentine beef imports threaten domestic herds at a time when costs are high and production is low. Prices could drop, hindering recovery efforts in rural America.

  • Ineffective for Consumers. Experts doubt that even a large increase in beef purchases is likely to meaningfully lower grocery prices, making the move more about headlines than impact

Topline Talking Points: 

  • Trump loves to say, “America First,” but his actions tell a different story.

  • Right now, he’s sending $40 billion to Argentina, nearly double what it would cost to restore the health care tax credits he cut, while farmers go bankrupt, federal workers go unpaid, and families struggle with rising costs.

  • At the same time, he’s flooding the U.S. market with cheap Argentine beef, crushing American ranchers and doing nothing to lower grocery prices.

  • Argentina already got $20 billion from the IMF, but Trump thinks Americans should bail out a right-wing ally he calls “MAGA all the way."

  • His reckless trade war has pushed American farm bankruptcies to a five-year high, created a record agricultural trade deficit, and shut U.S. soybeans out of China, while Argentina fills the gap and profits from our pain.

  • None of this is America First. It’s Trump First, with Americans paying the price.

Published: October 2025