Senate Majority Chief John Thune (R-S.D.) says President Trump is making a mistake by calling for a big enhance in beef imports from Argentina to offset rising costs at American grocery shops.
Thune acknowledged in an interview with Semafor that Trump is making an attempt to “drive down beef prices” to assist American customers, however he argued that flooding the U.S. market with international beef doesn’t make sense.
“This isn’t the way to do it,” Thune mentioned. “It’s created a lot of uncertainty in that market. So I’m hoping that the White House has gotten the message.”
Thune’s feedback symbolize a uncommon break up with the president, who hosted Republican senators for lunch on the White Home on Tuesday.
Thune’s dwelling state is a significant beef producer; beef manufacturing accounts for roughly 9 % of its agricultural trade, in keeping with South Dakota State College.
The meat trade accounts for greater than 12,000 jobs created within the state throughout greater than 13,000 farms, in keeping with Ag United for South Dakota.
Different farm-state Republicans have raised considerations about Trump’s plans to considerably enhance the meat import quota for Argentine beef.
Sen. Deb Fischer (Neb.), a Republican member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, mentioned Tuesday that she has “deep concerns” over the Trump administration’s import plan.
“Since hearing the president’s comments suggesting the U.S. would buy beef from Argentina, I’ve been in touch with his administration and my colleagues to seek clarity and express my deep concerns,” Fischer mentioned in a social media submit.
“Bottom line: if the goal is addressing beef prices at the grocery store, this isn’t the way. Right now, government intervention in the beef market will hurt our cattle ranchers,” she argued.
She argued the USA has “safe, reliable beef” and warned “Nebraska’s ranchers cannot afford to have the rug pulled out from under them when they’re just getting ahead or simply breaking even.”
Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Jerry Moran (R-Kan) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) have mentioned they are going to share their considerations over the import plan with the White Home.
Argentina at present gives simply 2 % of U.S. beef imports and may ship as much as 20,000 tons of beef to the USA at a low tariff price, in keeping with the Division of Agriculture.
