Congressman Cleaver Calls on President Trump to Reconsider Importation of Foreign Beef Products

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) urged the Trump Administration to reverse course on its plan to import 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef over the next 90 days. In a Truth Social post, the President indicated that these beef products will not be subject to out-of-quota tariffs and will allegedly be sold at 25% below current market prices. In a letter to President Trump, Congressman Cleaver acknowledged that Missourians are struggling with the rising cost of groceries, but emphasized that the importation of foreign beef fails to address the primary forces which have driven up the cost of beef products.

As noted in the Congressman's letter, the size of the American cattle herd has reached a 75-year low, and this development has contributed to a shortage of beef products made available to retailers and consumers. Moreover, according to the USDA, the number of cattle producers declined by 17% between 2017 and 2022, an alarming trend largely influenced by drought conditions in cattle-producing areas alongside higher input prices for necessities such as farm equipment and feed.

"Flooding the market with Argentinian beef isn't how you show support for American cattle producers," said Congressman Cleaver. "Market manipulation is also a misguided approach to bringing down grocery prices, so I struggle to see who will benefit from this plan other than foreign competitors. If anything, the President's proposal will further discourage cattlemen here in the United States from expanding their herds, thereby perpetuating one of the very problems that led to higher beef prices in the first place. Also, I'd be remiss to not point out that the proposed lifting of out-of-quota tariffs on foreign beef extends just past the upcoming midterm elections. Selling out American cattlemen in hopes of performing better at the ballot box is a sad betrayal of the farmers who keep this country fed."

Statements in strong opposition to the President's plan have been issued by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the Missouri Cattlemen's Association, and the Missouri Farm Bureau.

The official letter from Rep. Cleaver available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance. For more information, please contact Andrew Huber at 816-842-4545 or [email protected]