The ambient-temperature ortho C鈥揌 arylation of electron-deficient benzoic acids with aryl iodides has been achieved by using an Ac-Ile-OH-supported Pd catalyst. A wide range of unactivated benzoic acids could cross-couple an array of aryl iodides in moderate to excellent yields. The choice of HFIP as a solvent is crucial to realizing the mild C鈥揌 arylation, and the beneficial effect of the ligand on the reaction likely stems from the accelerated C鈥揌 activation process and the improved catalyst lifetime.