Trump beef imports upset Texas ranchers before midterms

Texas ranchers and cattle groups are criticising President Donald Trump's move to allow an additional 300,000 tons of ground beef imports with reduced tariffs from September 1, saying it could hurt producers weeks before November's midterm elections.

The policy is aimed at lowering beef prices for consumers. Ranchers warn it does not rebuild the US cattle herd, which the article says is at its smallest in 75 years, and comes as producers face higher fuel and fertilizer costs.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller told AFP that he supports Trump but disagrees with importing more hamburger meat. Miller said the decision would not increase the cow herd and would widen the United States' agricultural trade deficit.

Texas has the nation's largest cattle herd, with 12.1 million head. Miller said drought over the past three years had pushed some Texas farmers to sell cows, while diesel fuel prices had also risen.

Miller said the beef issue had disappointed many ranchers and farmers and could cost Republicans some statewide offices. Trump won more than 56 percent of the vote in Texas in 2024.

The Texas and Southwest Cattlemen's Association said increasing beef imports was not the answer to high prices and that supplies would rise as the herd rebuilds. Bill Bullard, executive director of R-CALF USA, called importing ground beef a bad policy for American farmers.

The dispute comes alongside another Trump policy that has angered some Texas ranchers: a halt in live-cattle imports from Mexico to contain the screwworm fly, whose larvae can kill cows. Miller said about 1.5 million head normally arrive from Mexico each year and that the Texas crossing remains closed, although one in Arizona has reopened.