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Republican lawmakers criticize Trump plan to buy beef from Argentina

Republican Sen. Deb Fischer said Tuesday that President Trump’s plan to buy beef from Argentina “isn’t the right way” to bring down prices.

Ms. Fischer of Nebraska, a key agricultural state, joined the chorus of lawmakers and trade groups who say Mr. Trump’s plan would not be effective or would violate his “America First” principles.

“Right now, government intervention in the beef market will hurt our cattle ranchers,” the senator posted on X. “The U.S. has safe, reliable beef, and it is the one bright spot in our struggling ag economy. Nebraska’s ranchers cannot afford to have the rug pulled out from under them when they’re just getting ahead or simply breaking even.”

Mr. Trump floated the idea Sunday during a trip on Air Force One, saying beef purchases from South America would increase supply. The cost of ground beef, driven upward by depleted herds, weather problems and high consumer demand, has risen to a record high of nearly $7 per pound.

“We would buy some beef from Argentina,” Mr. Trump said during the flight. “If we do that, that will bring our beef prices down.”

The idea coincides with his administration’s support for an ally, Argentinian President Javier Milei, who received a $20 billion credit swap to bolster Argentina’s finances as his party faces tough midterm elections.

Yet U.S. farmers have pushed back on financial support for another country while they are drowning in high costs for equipment and fertilizer — a trend that began during the Biden administration and has been exacerbated by tariff costs under Mr. Trump.

Beyond beef, soybean growers were upset to learn that China — once their top buyer — purchased soybeans from Argentina while the U.S. offered financial support to the South Americans.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said the beef plan would only create chaos while doing nothing to bring down grocery prices.

Rep. Thomas Massie, Kentucky Republican, said on X that the plan was “not America first!”

“Since hearing the president’s comments suggesting the U.S. would buy beef from Argentina, I’ve been in touch with his administration and my colleagues to seek clarity and express my deep concerns. I’ve also been sounding the alarm on the bleak state of our ag economy and the negative impacts facing Nebraska’s ag industry — the economic driver of our state,” Nebraska’s Ms. Fischer posted. “I strongly encourage the Trump administration to focus on trade deals that benefit our ag producers — not imports that will do more harm than good.”

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