Trump announces plan to lower beef prices, but ranchers and some Republicans are already balking
- President Donald Trump said his administration will allow up to 300,000 metric tons of beef imports over the next 90 days without triggering higher "out-of-quota" tariffs.
- Trump said the imported beef would be sold at about 25% below current market rates, and a White House official said the arrangement involves foreign beef exporters.
- The announcement came as U.S. beef prices remain at record highs, driven by a smaller cattle herd, steady demand, limits on cattle from Mexico because of a flesh-eating pest, and 50% tariffs on Brazilian beef.
- Ranchers and several Republican senators criticized the plan, saying cheaper imports could hurt U.S. cattle producers and do not offer a long-term solution; Trump said he plans to formalize the directive in an executive order within two weeks.
Trump said Friday that his administration will temporarily allow more beef to be imported into the United States without higher tariffs in an effort to bring down prices. The move would cover up to 300,000 metric tons of lean beef trimmings over 90 days, according to the White House, and Trump said the beef would be sold below current market rates.
The announcement came as beef prices have reached record levels. The article cites a smaller U.S. cattle herd, steady consumer demand, restrictions on cattle from Mexico because of a flesh-eating pest, and 50% tariffs on Brazilian beef as part of the pressure on supply.
Ranchers and some Republican lawmakers quickly pushed back, saying cheaper imports could weaken cattle prices and hurt producers. For markets, the policy is potentially negative for U.S. cattle producers and related livestock prices, while the effect on broader stock, crypto, and foreign exchange markets appears limited and likely neutral.
Trump said he still supports ranchers but wants help lowering grocery prices. A White House official said the plan has not yet been finalized and that Trump expects to sign an executive order formalizing it within two weeks.
特朗普宣布降低牛肉价格的计划，但牧场主和一些共和党人已表示反对
特朗普周五表示，政府将暂时放宽牛肉进口限制，以帮助压低价格，措施是在一定期限内允许更多牛肉在不触发更高关税的情况下进入美国。白宫称，这一安排为期90天，最多涉及30万吨用于碎牛肉生产的瘦牛肉修整料，特朗普还表示进口牛肉将低于当前市场价格出售。
报道指出，美国牛肉价格已经升至纪录高位。造成供应紧张的因素包括美国牛群数量减少、消费者需求稳定、墨西哥因肉食性害虫而受限，以及美国对巴西牛肉征收50%关税。
牧场主和部分共和党议员迅速表示反对，认为廉价进口会压低牛价并伤害生产者。对市场而言，这一政策对美国养牛业和相关牲畜价格偏利空，而对更广泛的股票、加密货币和外汇市场影响看起来有限，整体偏中性。
特朗普说他仍然支持牧场主，但希望帮助降低杂货价格。白宫官员表示，这项方案尚未最终敲定，特朗普预计将在两周内通过行政令正式化。