President Donald Trump said Friday the United States will bring in more beef from Argentina, Brazil and other countries as his administration tries to bring down record-high beef prices while protecting American ranchers from foreign competition.
Read more Federal Judge Extends Block on Trump Mail-Voting Rules as Midterms Approach
“It’s coming from Argentina. It’s coming from Brazil,” Trump said during an Oval Office event with farmers and ranchers. “It’s coming from a couple of other places. We have our inspectors down. It’s very clean. It’s very good.”
The administration recently expanded the amount of lean beef trimmings eligible for lower tariff rates by 300,000 metric tons over 90 days. The additional imports are intended primarily for ground beef and will enter in three monthly allotments.
The White House says the temporary increase is designed to ease prices while giving American ranchers time to rebuild the nation’s cattle herd, which has fallen to its lowest level in 75 years.
“We’re doing it in a very limited fashion because our ranchers can handle it,” Trump said.
The import decision has drawn criticism from some ranchers and Republican lawmakers concerned that additional foreign beef could undercut American producers.
Read more Migrants Accused of Killing Baby Dolphin as Tensions Rise in Spain’s Ceuta
Trump sought to address those concerns by signing executive orders aimed at strengthening domestic cattle and meat production. The measures seek to expand access to local meat processing, give ranchers additional tools to protect livestock from wolves and move toward mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef.
Trump also took aim at consolidation in the meatpacking industry, singling out Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill and National Beef Packing Co.
“They cost our farmers a lot of money, and they cost our ranchers a lot of money, and they cost the public a lot of money in grief, and we’re not going to let it happen any longer,” Trump said.
The administration’s strategy attempts to balance two competing pressures: providing consumers relief from high beef prices now while expanding domestic production and processing capacity over the longer term.
Read more Who’s on Trial Here?
