World News
Trump's beef tariff pause draws farm-state opposition before midterms
Ranching groups oppose the August tariff pause, while September ground beef prices were only about 13 cents lower.
The short version
- In late August, President Trump paused certain beef tariffs to make imported beef cheaper.[Al Jazeera]
- The U.S. Cattlemen's Association, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, and Farm Bureau opposed the decision.[Al Jazeera]
- September ground beef prices were only about 13 cents lower than in August, and Secretary Rollins conceded the move might not be popular.[NPR]
- Livestock economist Zach Raff put the herd at a 75-year low, and economist David Anderson sees little sign of expansion so far in 2026.[Al Jazeera · NPR]
Key facts
- President Trump announced a pause on certain beef tariffs in late August 2026 to make imported beef cheaper.[Al Jazeera]
- The U.S. Cattlemen's Association, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, and Farm Bureau opposed the tariff decision.[Al Jazeera]
- Ground beef prices in September were about 13 cents lower than in August.[NPR]
- Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins acknowledged at the Iowa Farm Progress Show that the August order might not be popular.[NPR]
- Iowa Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson publicly broke with the Trump administration over the beef import tariff decision.[NPR]
- Livestock economist Zach Raff said the U.S. beef herd is at a 75-year low.[NPR]
What remains uncertain
- Agricultural economist David Anderson said there is not much evidence of herd expansion so far in 2026, so the policy's effect on production remains unclear.[Al Jazeera]
- Kansas rancher Chad Basinger said some voters may switch parties or stay home, but he does not expect the effect on midterm voting to be extensive, so the electoral impact is disputed.[Al Jazeera]
- The 75-year-low herd figure is attributed to Zach Raff and is not independently verified in the provided reporting.[NPR]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.