US Republicans are grappling with anger from the cattle industry. Last Sunday, President Trump suggested the US might consider importing beef from Argentina as aid. This statement, however, has stirred up a hornet's nest.
Todd Armstrong, a rancher and plantation owner in Indiana, said he voted for Trump last year but now feels abandoned. He believes that importing beef from Argentina is hypocritical and does not align with the "America First" principle.
As a traditional stronghold for the Republican Party, the discontent within the livestock industry has further amplified the concerns of Republican lawmakers. From Senate Majority Leader John Thune to Montana Senator Tim Sheehy, all have reportedly spoken with Trump on the issue, while other lawmakers have written directly to Trump demanding more details and clarification from the government.
Another reason for the Republican lawmakers' urgency is that Trump's policies have already triggered a series of crises in the oil industry ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. The protests by soybean growers and thousands of small business owners directly threaten the Republican Party's chances in next year's elections.
Argentina again
Justin Tupper, president of the U.S. Cattlemen's Association, said his phone has been ringing non-stop since Trump raised the idea last Sunday, with ranchers across the country complaining about it. He has spoken with Thune staff, urging Trump not to buy beef from Argentina.
But Trump posted on social media on Wednesday that ranchers might not understand why they're doing so well, and that they must lower prices because, in his view, consumers are also very important. He also claimed that his administration's tariff policies have greatly benefited American ranchers.
Trump added that he is now trying to strike a balance between aiding the livestock industry and lowering beef prices for consumers, and that the U.S. government will take swift and easy steps to reduce beef prices.
This comes at a time when US beef prices are breaking historical records. According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in August of this year, the average price paid by US consumers for ground beef reached a record high of $6.318 per pound, equivalent to approximately 99.88 yuan per kilogram. The reason for the high price is the tight supply of livestock in the United States.
On the other hand, American society is increasingly sensitive to the US government's aid to Argentina. The US government is currently facing a shutdown, yet its multi-billion dollar aid to Argentina is being expedited, which seems absurd to the American people. Furthermore, Argentina's acquisition of the largest export market for US soybeans, leaving American soybean farmers with empty fields, has also caused considerable discontent in the US agricultural sector.
The beef issue has not only exacerbated voters' distrust of Trump but also increased public resentment towards support for Argentina. This has left Republicans feeling conflicted and worried, fearing it might be another case of "losing both ways."
(Article source: CLS)
