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President Donald Trump said Friday that he would allow up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef to be imported into the United States tariff-free for the next 90 days, with a commitment that the meat would be sold at 25% below current market prices.
The announcement immediately drew backlash from cattle industry groups and several Republican senators who warned that increasing imports could hurt American ranchers.
In a Truth Social post announcing the plan, Trump said it would “substantially lower” the price of ground beef for American families, arguing that prices had soared under the Biden administration as the domestic cattle supply had shrunk.
“As we work to rebuild this herd and help our ranchers, for the next 90 days, the United States will allow up to 300,000 metric tons of product for ground beef to be imported with no out of quota tariff,” Trump wrote.
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“We have a commitment that this beef will be sold at 25 percent below current market prices,” he continued. “This deal will reduce prices for Americans while giving space for our Great American Beef Herd to grow again.”
After Trump’s announcement, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said it was “disappointed” by the plan, arguing that introducing below-market beef could negatively affect American cattle producers.
Speaking with FOX Business’ Nicole McManus, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall urged the federal government not to interfere with the cattle industry.
“The best thing is to stay out of our business. That’s what we want, first and foremost,” Woodall said. “Let us work the way we do as producers to take care of our cattle, to take of our natural resources and to be able to grow.”
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Woodall sharply criticized Trump’s plan, arguing the president was overlooking strong consumer demand for U.S. beef.
“This is the third time in less than a year that the president has made a similar announcement about increasing imports in order to decrease the price of beef,” Woodall said.
“And, once again, he’s missing the point,” Woodall continued. “He’s missing the picture, and he’s definitely lost the plot line. This is about demand. The consumer demands our product. The customer loves what we’re producing.
“We’re producing the highest quality beef we ever have, and they have shown their willingness to pay for it. The American consumer does not have to buy beef. They want to buy beef and, unfortunately, the president is just not factoring that into his consideration.”
The American Farm Bureau Federation also responded to Trump’s announcement, warning that “short-term measures could have long-term negative effects” for consumers and ranchers.
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U.S. Cattlemen’s Association President Justin Tupper also criticized the plan.
“You don’t put America first by putting U.S. cattle producers last,” Tupper said in a statement. “This move will weaken our markets and gamble with food safety in the process.”
Several Republicans on Capitol Hill also pushed back, including Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., who said he had advised Trump against the move and warned it could hurt ranching families.
“The President’s heart is in the right place on wanting lower prices for the American people, and beef prices have been impacted by the Mexican screwworm,” Sheehy posted on X.
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“But the reality is this action will make it more difficult for American ranchers to rebuild our herd and bring prices down for the American people. And most importantly, this will harm our ranching families who feed the nation.”
Trump responded to the criticism while speaking to reporters Friday.
“I love the ranchers; they’ve done a fantastic job,” Trump said. “But they admit that we need a little help, and, in order to get the prices down, so that’s what we’re doing.”
Trump did not specify which countries would supply the beef, telling reporters only that “there are a few” and that they would send the “highest quality beef.”
The announcement comes as U.S. ranchers face the smallest domestic cattle herd in 75 years and Tyson Foods announced last week that it would close beef facilities in Illinois and Utah.
FOX Business has reached out to the White House for additional comment.
