WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), helped lead an effort with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, to U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Greer calling out the Trump administration’s harmful and undeveloped plan to import more beef from Argentina, which will harm American ranchers.
“We write in strong opposition to the Administration’s undeveloped plan to increase imports of Argentinian beef,” the Senators wrote. “This announcement has already had tangible market impacts felt by cattle producers across the country, at a time when cattle producers are looking for long-term stability to rebuild their herds. Rather than reward Argentina’s president and agricultural producers, we encourage you to focus on policies that support American farmers and ranchers and that bring down costs for all Americans.”
To meaningfully lower prices for American families, the Senators called on the Trump Administration to end the chaotic, across-the-board tariffs that are driving market instability and increasing costs.
“In addition, we are concerned that this plan could also introduce serious animal health threats that further cripple U.S. cattle production at a time of low cattle supply…” they continued. “…these animal health threats would pose severe risks to U.S. livestock production, disrupt domestic and international trade, and have far-reaching economic consequences across rural communities and the agricultural supply chain.”
“Instead of introducing additional volatility into the market, we urge you to implement a trade policy that uses targeted tariffs and other tools to ensure U.S. producers can fairly compete in the global marketplace while also ensuring Americans have access to healthy, affordable foods,” the Senators concluded.
The full letter can be found here. Additional signatories include Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ben Rey Luján (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Peter Welch (D-VT).
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