PIERRE, S.D – U.S. cattle industry leaders are raising concerns over a proposed federal plan to increase ground beef imports temporarily.
According to industry groups, President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day suspension of higher tariffs on up to 300,000 metric tons of imported ground beef. The administration says the move is intended to lower beef prices for consumers.
However, both the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association argue the policy could put additional pressure on domestic cattle producers. The groups say the U.S. cattle herd is already at historically low levels and contend that increasing imports may weaken cattle markets without providing significant savings to consumers.
Industry leaders also expressed concern about the proposal’s timing and its potential impact on ranchers, who continue to face high production costs.
White House officials say a formal executive order is expected within the next two weeks. The proposal has sparked debate over how best to balance consumer food costs with support for American cattle producers.
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