Trump Vows to Investigate Meat Processing Monopoly and Regulations

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he will investigate whether excessive federal regulations on beef processing plants hinder smaller ranchers from performing their own slaughtering. During an interview with Blaze Media co-founder and ranch owner Glenn Beck, Trump characterized the industry as a monopoly controlled by four companies—Cargill, Tyson Foods, JBS USA, and National Beef Packing Co.—which together control approximately 85% of U.S. meat processing.

Beck urged the president to dismantle what he called a meat processing cartel, arguing that federal regulations and inspections prevent independent farmers from butchering their own meat and block the creation of new plants. Trump stated he would look into the matter immediately, noting the move could benefit ranchers, farmers, and the country.

This regulatory review follows a separate administration plan to temporarily ease tariffs on some beef imports to lower record-high consumer prices. That plan drew criticism from the American Farm Bureau Federation, which argued the move would undermine American ranchers. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated on Tuesday that she was unaware of which specific countries would be covered by the tariff easing.