WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has signed an executive order quadrupling the amount of beef imported from Argentina.
Argentina’s Foreign Ministry said this will “grant an unprecedented expansion of preferential access for Argentine beef to its market by 100,000 tons,” which is an increase of $800 million in Argentine beef exports.
“While the administration claims this move will lower grocery bills, history and economists tell us otherwise: it will push down the prices paid to American ranchers, not the grocery store prices paid by consumers,” North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue said. “That is why this plan has garnered nearly unanimous opposition from U.S. cattle producers.”
Perdue added the Trump administration should focus on supporting American ranchers and not foreign competitors. He believes it should also work on addressing consolidation in meat packing and country-of-origin labeling.
