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President Trump has enraged some of his most loyal rural supporters by throwing open American markets to foreign beef.
The president announced Friday that up to 300,000 metric tons of imported beef will enter the country tariff free over the next three months, a move he says will drive down the soaring price of ground beef.
Trump claimed the foreign beef would sell at 25 percent below current market prices, citing a ‘commitment’ from importers.
He blamed Joe Biden for the high cost of beef.
But prices have climbed higher on his own watch.
Ground beef cost $3.96 a pound when Biden took office in January 2021 and $5.60 when he left, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Under Trump it has hit $6.80.
Cattle ranchers and Republicans from farm states were quick to condemn the decision.
President Donald Trump defended his decision to import more foreign beef to lower prices
The cost of beef continues to rise, prompting anger from American voters
President Donald Trump, shown here wearing a cowboy hat in the Oval Office, has traditionally earned wide support from rural farmers and ranchers
‘Betrayal’ wrote Meriwether Farms, a Wyoming beef producer on social media, in reaction to the president’s statement.
‘This was very difficult to read this morning from President Trump. Frustrated and disappointed is an understatement,’ chimed in South Dakota rancher and agricultural speaker Amanda Radke.
Good Ranchers beef company warned that Trump’s decision was a ‘short-term price fix’ that would hurt American ranchers ‘dealing with years of drought, high feed costs, and a shrinking herd.’
MAHA influencer Alex Clark described the president’s decision as a ‘total slap in the face’ to American farmers.
Colin Woodall, chief executive of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, condemned the move.
‘Today’s announcement and other market interventions throw cold water on the prospect of herd expansion and sacrifices long-term stability for short term messaging,’ he said.
Montana Senator Tim Sheehy joined the attack.
‘I’ve advised President Trump against this course of action for a year because American ranchers have been struggling against the packer monopoly for decades, and this will further harm them – most of whom are MAGA Republicans,’ he wrote on social media.
Challenged by reporters on Friday about the backlash, Trump was unrepentant.
‘I love the ranchers, they’ve done a fantastic job, but they admit they need a little help in order to get the prices down,’ he said.
‘That’s what the people want, that’s what the voters want, and that’s what I want.’
