United States President Donald Trump has emphasized that American cattle farmers benefit from benefits he has imposed on imports from other countries, but urged them to lower prices to make beef more affordable for domestic consumers. Donald Trump also reminded cattle ranchers that it wasn’t for him and the tariffs he put in place would still do what they did in years past. However, the US president did not mention how cattle farmers benefit from this.
“The Cattle Ranchers I love don’t understand that the only reason they are doing so well for the first time in decades is because I put tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50 percent tariff on Brazil,” Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
He continued: “If it wasn’t for me, they would be doing what they’ve been doing for the last 20 years – Terrible! It would be nice if they understood, but they also need to lower the prices because the consumer is also a very important factor in my thinking!”
The American president went on to point out: “Apart from everything else, tariffs on other countries SAVED our cattle farmers!
This comes as Trump’s plan to lower beef prices by importing more meat from Argentina faces strong opposition from US ranchers who are enjoying scarce profits, and experts doubt it would actually make beef cheaper in grocery stores. Also read | India, US trade deal likely soon, huge tariff cuts on horizon
The National Cattlemen’s Association, along with the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America and other farm groups — usually some of the president’s biggest supporters — have all criticized Trump’s idea because of what it could do to America’s farmers and feedlot operators.
Why are beef prices rising?
Beef prices have risen due to a combination of strong demand and the smallest U.S. cattle herd since 1961, partly due to years of drought and previously low cattle prices. Also read | Cattle firm, as beef prices increase, supplies remain limited
Beef imports also fell overall due to 50 percent tariffs imposed by Trump on Brazil, a major beef exporter, and restrictions on Mexico, where the country is battling a flesh-eating pest.
