U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley disagrees with President Trump’s plan to import beef from Argentina to help lower prices domestically.
The Iowa Republican says the move would disincentivize U.S. producers from raising more cattle.
“And in the words of the President, repeating what you hear him say so often, the message to the President is pretty simple: undercutting American beef is not ‘putting America first.”
However, Grassley says he’s encouraged by the administration’s new plan to strengthen the U.S. beef industry.
“The plan increases grazing access, cuts inspection costs, (and) expands processing so the big four producers controlling 85 percent of the market can’t drive up prices.”
He says those moves should all help to boost long-term demand for U.S. beef.
Grassley made these comments Thursday during his weekly call with ag reporters.
