Trump Beef Import Initiative Fails to Meet Targets
President Donald Trump's plan to lower ground beef prices through targeted imports has reached only a fifth of its target volume.
A three-month initiative by Donald Trump to lower ground beef prices through the import of 300,000 metric tons of lean beef trimmings at reduced tariff rates is falling short of its goals. Since the August proclamation, only 37,486 metric tons entered the United States in September and 21,937 metric tons by October 19, totaling roughly one-fifth of the target volume.
While the administration sought a 25 percent discount for consumers, the average price of ground beef fell only 1.9 percent in September to $6.79 per pound. Economists attribute this slight decrease to the end of the grilling season rather than the import program. President Trump previously stated that beef prices "really became unacceptable to the voter,"
The plan faced immediate opposition from ranching groups, including the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, which argued that market intervention encourages the slaughter of heifers and cows and could create long-term supply shortages. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly defended the program, stating the president is delivering on promises to consumers while allowing the American beef herd to grow.
