Brazilian billionaire Joesley Batista met with President Donald Trump a day before the president announced a plan to waive tariffs on beef imports, a move that angered American farmers and ranchers. The meeting between Batista, a key figure in the global meatpacking industry through his family's company JBS SA, and Trump raised questions about the influence of foreign business interests on U.S. trade policy. The tariff waiver plan, if implemented, would benefit major beef exporters like Brazil, where JBS is headquartered.

Critics argue the policy undermines domestic producers who have long relied on tariff protections. The timing of the meeting — just before the policy announcement — has drawn scrutiny from agricultural groups and lawmakers concerned about potential conflicts of interest. The White House has not detailed the specifics of the discussion, but the proximity of the meeting to the policy shift has fueled speculation about the extent of Batista's influence.

JBS, the world's largest meat processor, has a significant stake in U.S. market access. The episode highlights the intersection of international agribusiness and American trade decisions.