WASHINGTON, D.C. – We’re told the first imports of the tariff-reduced beef hit the shelves this week. The President recently announced he would allow 300-metric tons of beef trimmings to enter into the US at a reduced tariff rate for the next few months in hopes of lowering grocery prices but there’s been bipartisan pushback on this.
Economists said a combination of high fuel and energy costs, supply chain disruptions, global conflicts and tariffs have contributed to the rise in grocery costs. In an effort to lower them, the President announced in August he will allow 300-thousand metric tons of lean beef trimmings to enter into the United States at a reduced tariff rate over the next few months.
“I appreciate the president’s concern with food affordability; it’s something we should always look at but I do not support his executive order,” said Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R- PA), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. Thompson said the President’s recent executive order is a short-term fix but ranchers are dealing with several problems and this latest move by the administration could exacerbate those problems.
“Our beef cow supply is at its lowest levels since 1971 and when you look at the overall cattle herd it’s at a 75 year low,” said Thompson. “There’s a number of reasons for that. Primarily it has to do with the increase in input costs which also makes it challenging but also weather. I mean, in places where we’ve had droughts and you just don’t have the hay you don’t have the [inaudible] that you would have to feed a bigger herd.”
Agriculture economists said easing on these beef tariffs will have an insignificant impact on what consumers pay at the checkout. The National Cattleman’s Beef Association said the administration’s move and “other market interventions throw cold water on the prospect of herd expansion and sacrifices long-term stability for short term messaging.”
Data shows the US has increased its beef imports over the years but consumers have raised concerns that the latest announcement didn’t specify as to which countries the beef is coming from.
Congressman Thompson said he’s urged the President to reverse course.
“This has not helped; I think it has negatively impacted beef production,” said Thompson. “And let’s work together on building the domestic herd.”
