Foreign Policy Frustrating U.S. Farmers

President Trump’s foreign policy moves with Argentina continue to irk U.S. farmers. First came news the Trump administration was attempting to support the Argentine peso that happened to coincide, too, with the sale of soybeans from the South American nation. Then, over the weekend, Mr. Trump told reporters traveling with him on Air Force One that he intended to have the United States purchase Argentine beef to lower prices in this nation. That did not settle well with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. It is concerned rewarding Argentina with expanded access to the U.S. market will harm America’s farmers and ranchers, while also interfering with the free market. Colin Woodall is the CEO at NCBA. He says family farmers and ranchers have numerous concerns with importing more Argentinian beef to lower prices for consumers. Noting the plan only creates chaos at a critical time of the year for American cattle producers, while doing nothing to lower grocery store prices. Woodall says, “Well, we are extremely concerned with the plan, but probably more importantly, we are just flat disappointed that this is the approach that the President has taken. We understand what he is trying to do, but what he does not realize is that in trying to bring the price of beef down for the consumer, it means he’s going to bring down the price being paid for cattle for US producers. So, in effect, this is a direct attack on US cattle producers.” Argentina also has a history of foot-and-mouth disease, which, if brought to the United States, could decimate domestic livestock production. NCBA is calling on President Trump and members of Congress to let the market work, rather than intervening in ways they say does nothing but harm rural America.