Treasury Secretary Blames Migrants for Screwworm Outbreaks Affecting Beef Prices

Washington, D.C. — Treasury Secretary Bessent suggested on Sunday that recent cattle infections in Mexico, linked to high beef prices in the United States, could be partly attributed to South American migrants. The screwworm outbreaks have led to a decline in cattle imports from Mexico, causing U.S. beef prices to rise by approximately 13% over the past year.

During his appearance on Fox News‘ Sunday Morning Futures, Bessent stated, “Because of the mass immigration, a disease that had been we’ve been rid of in North America made its way up through South America as these migrants — they brought some of their cattle with them.” He emphasized the importance of protecting the U.S. supply chain from the screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite.

The ongoing drought in the U.S. has compounded these issues, further reducing cattle inventories. As a result, beef prices have hit record highs, particularly for ground beef. In a bid to lower grocery prices, President Trump announced plans to quadruple imports of Argentine beef.

Bessent also highlighted the Trump administration’s larger initiatives aimed at reducing the cost of living and increasing affordability. He expressed optimism about the economic impacts of the recently signed “One Big, Beautiful” bill, which included various tax relief measures.

“We are laser-focused on this issue. The beef market is a very specialized market, and we are adjusting our strategies accordingly,” Bessent stated. He concluded that tangible improvements in American purchasing power are expected in the coming quarters due to the new provisions.