Trump hits cattle ranchers amid backlash over Argentine beef purchases

President Donald Trump took aim at cattle ranchers amid industry backlash to his plan to purchase beef from Argentina to stabilize that industry and lower costs for Americans.

"The Cattle Ranchers, who I love, don’t understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50% Tariff on Brazil," he posted on Truth Social.

"If it weren’t for me, they would be doing just as they’ve done for the past 20 years — Terrible! It would be nice if they would understand that, but they also have to get their prices down, because the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking, also!" he added.

Trump has sought to provide Argentina with an economic lifeline amid severe tumult from President Xavier Milei's restructuring, including a $40 billion bailout and the promise of beef purchases. The proposal has prompted considerable scrutiny from "America First" Republicans and domestic cattle ranchers.

One domestic cattle producer, Meriwether Farms, wrote a public letter to Trump saying "your suggestion to buy beef from Argentina to stabilize beef prices would be an absolute betrayal to the American cattle rancher."

"We understand beef prices are high, and we admire your concern for all Americans, but this is not the fault of the American producer," the letter continued. "This is the fault of politicians who have allowed BRICS-aligned entities to dominate the meat industry, that participate in price fixing and who also continually lie to their consumers."

Meriwether levied particularly harsh criticism at the Department of Agriculture, saying "[t]here is no one to trust over there that truly understands the issues and isn’t bought out by or aligned with Big Industries."

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., shared the Meriwether Farms statement, saying "I’m hearing the same sentiment in my district.
'
We love President Trump, please tell him to stop helping foreign countries and put Americans first.'

At this point, help Americans only!"

Trump doubled down on his position in a follow up post, however, saying "[i]n addition to everything else, Tariffs on other Countries SAVED our Cattle Ranchers!"

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.