Lower beef prices? Nope, just another empty gesture from Trump

 

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Headline:  New York Times, 10/23/2026

Kevin Draper reports on yet another boneheaded move by Trump:

In August, Mr. Trump signed a proclamation allowing 300,000 metric tons of lean beef trimmings to enter the United States at a reduced tariff rate. The additional beef could be imported over 90 days, with up to 100,000 metric tons entering each month in September, October and November. 

But only 37,486 metric tons of this beef entered the country in September, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data, barely more than a third of the allowed amount. There hasn’t been much improvement in October, as just 21,937 metric tons entered through the 19th. 

The lack of action is a potential blow to Republican candidates in the midterm elections. Mr. Trump said this month that beef prices “really became unacceptable to the voter,” and he has been trying to lower prices while keeping farmers and ranchers — typically a reliable Republican voting bloc — on his side. 

Groups representing ranchers immediately criticized the president’s plan to import beef, saying it would lower what they received for their cattle; live cattle prices fell 3.4 percent the day the proclamation was signed.  [emphasis added]

Related posts:

Yet another empty gesture from a flailing Trump administration.  (10/23/2026) 

Gesture running on empty:  Regular or dyed, price of diesel fuel remains well above what it was prior to Trump War of Whimsy.  (10/8/2026)