A plan to import a large volume of Argentine beef at a steep discount is drawing scrutiny because China recently turned away Argentine beef over banned drug residues, a worrying sign for US consumers and cattle ranchers.

• China rejected Argentine beef after finding an antibiotic that is banned in livestock there.
• Days later, Trump moved to buy hundreds of thousands of tons of Argentine beef at a 25% discount.
• The deep discount raises the worry that Argentina is unloading meat it cannot sell elsewhere.
• US cattle ranchers face cheaper foreign competition at the same time.

Outlook: Pressure is building for tougher testing of Argentine beef before it reaches American shelves.