U.S. Cattlemen's Association blasts Trump's proposal to increase beef imports to bring down costs

President Donald Trump's proposal to lower beef prices for consumers by lowering tariffs and increasing imports is getting considerable pushback from the American cattle industry. 

Contrary to Trump's claims, Justin Tupper, president of the Cattlemen’s Association, said in an interview Wednesday on MS NOW’s "State of Play" that the plan won't help American ranchers, who are held to a higher standard than foreign beef importers. 

He said current American cattle herds are at the lowest levels since the 1950s. 

"We live in a free-market system, where it's supply and demand. And right now, the demand is higher than the supply. And right now, bringing in foreign beef that does not have to live up to the same standards or any of the things that we go by here in this country," Tupper said. 

He said the association doesn't believe Trump's plan will bring down the price of beef at the store, nor will it help American ranchers increase their herds. 

"We respectfully disagree that bringing in this foreign beef is going to help at all," Tupper said. 

Tupper also said that American ranchers are under increased pressure due to inflation, increased insurance costs, and high fuel prices.