The US is importing large amounts of Argentine beef in an attempt to curb the high domestic beef prices.
According to Reuters, the Trump administration plans to increase the tariff quota for Argentine beef by two times, reaching 80,000 tons. The White House officials announced this on the 23rd. The purpose is to lower the historically high domestic beef prices.
The official said that in the short term, the government will expand the import of beef from Argentina to reduce prices, while also deploying new support measures to assist livestock farmers and work to protect farmers.
In a plan announced on the 22nd, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Interior, and the Small Business Administration announced that they would take measures to increase the supply of cattle in the United States, such as considering expanding grazing on federal lands and increasing spending on some livestock programs. However, economists pointed out that this plan has little impact on quickly reducing prices.
Additionally, White House spokesperson Anna Kry said that President Trump promised to protect ranchers and provide economic support for ordinary Americans. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins also said on Fox Business Network that the government is working to help beef consumers and ranchers.
The plan to expand beef imports from Argentina has been strongly opposed by livestock producers who widely supported Trump in the presidential election. Justin Tapper, chairman of the National Beef Producers Association, said: "Reaching such a scale of agreement with Argentina would shake the foundation of our beef industry."
Moreover, analysis points out that the beef imported from Argentina is often red meat mixed for burgers, which may not necessarily lower the price of beef for consumers.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846817854851084/
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