Brazilian billionaire Joesley Batista met with then-President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on February 15, 2017, the day before the Trump administration announced it would temporarily suspend tariffs on imported beef. The meeting, revealed in documents obtained by The Wall Street Journal, occurred as Batista's company, JBS, was facing scrutiny over a bribery scandal in Brazil.
Batista's presence in the White House the day before the tariff announcement has raised questions about the decision-making process. The plan to waive tariffs on beef imports, which primarily benefited foreign producers, angered many U.S. farmers and ranchers who had been seeking protection for their products.
At the time of the meeting, the Trump administration was evaluating several trade policies. The decision to suspend the tariffs was presented as a move to aid consumers, but it also provided a significant benefit to JBS, one of the world's largest meatpackers, which had recently acquired U.S. operations. The company had been lobbying the administration on trade issues.
The meeting highlights potential influences on trade policy decisions and has drawn criticism from agricultural groups who felt their concerns were not adequately considered.