Trump to temporarily lower beef tariffs, angering U.S. cattle producers
President Trump plans to temporarily lower beef import tariffs to reduce consumer grocery costs, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from U.S. cattle producers. Industry groups argue the policy will undermine domestic herd rebuilding efforts and hurt local farmers.
Why it matters
This policy highlights the tension between short-term consumer price relief and long-term domestic agricultural protectionism.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he will temporarily ease beef tariffs to help lower prices, although U.S. cattle producers warned the move would hurt efforts to rebuild herds and economists said it would have little effect on prices.
Trump will sign an executive order within the next two weeks expanding by 300,000 metric tons the amount of ground beef that can enter the U.S. with lower import tariffs, to be in effect for 90 days, aiming to lower prices as U.S. consumers struggle with grocery bills, the White House said.
Trump, in an earlier social media post, said he had “a commitment” that the imported meat would be sold at 25% below current market prices under the plan.
The president did not provide further details, and the White House did not respond to Reuters questions about which countries would supply the beef or discount their export prices.
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