By Amid a backlash against President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion to import more Argentinian beef, a U.S. senator from South Dakota said he came away from a Tuesday, Oct. 22 meeting at the White House “encouraged by the desire” that Trump and his top agriculture official showed to “do right by the American producer.”
Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said he met with Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins about “the concerns I’ve heard from hundreds of South Dakota ranchers” since Trump’s comments about importing beef from Argentina.
Rounds
“We agree that we need an America first game plan that prioritizes American ranchers,” Rounds said in a written statement about the meeting, adding, “I encourage patience as we await final details to be released, and in the meantime, continue to share your opinions with the administration.”
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Rounds said that instead of importing beef, policymakers should “place an emphasis on creating better conditions for American farmers and ranchers to drive prices down by increasing their ability to supply more product.”
The average price of ground chuck has gone up more than a dollar a pound since January, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Trump made his comments Sunday, Oct. 19 while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One about how he would bring down prices for American consumers.
“We would buy some beef from Argentina,” Trump said. “If we do that, that will bring our beef prices down.”
Ranchers critical of U.S. buying Argentinian beef
The comments sparked widespread criticism from ranchers and groups representing them. That included the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, which said “although beef prices have increased, consumer demand for beef remains strong because of the work American cattle producers have done to improve the quality and safety of U.S. beef.
“We call on President Trump and members of Congress to let the market work rather than intervening in ways that do nothing but harm rural America,” the association said.
While consumers are paying more for beef at the store, U.S. cattle prices have been strong in recent months, though they’ve fallen since Trump’s comments.
“Ranchers are finally getting prices that are going to make up for some really bad years in the past with the drought, low prices and high costs,” Texas A&M livestock economist David Anderson told The Associated Press. “And we start talking about government policy to bring down prices.”
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Trump has proposed a larger Argentine bailout of as much as $40 million. It’s a sign of support for President Javier Milei, a conservative political ally, who faces midterm elections Sunday, Oct. 26, amid economic turmoil.
When reporters asked Trump whether U.S. support for Argentina hinged on a midterm victory for Milei, Trump responded, “If they don’t do that, we’re not going to be around very long.”
The money for the bailout would come from “sovereign funds and the private sector,” according to The Associated Press.
Todd Epp of Northern Plains News and Reuters contributed to this report.