By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-defends-record-after-possible-plan-to-buy-argentine-beef-draws-pushback Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Trump defends record after possible plan to buy Argentine beef draws pushback Politics Oct 22, 2025 2:25 PM EDT President Donald Trump, facing criticism from beef producers and ag-state Republicans on his proposal to purchase beef from Argentina, boasted Wednesday about his record for America’s ranchers. WATCH: Why Trump is giving Argentina a $20 billion lifeline to help its flailing economy “The Cattle Ranchers, who I love, don’t understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50% Tariff on Brazil,” Trump posted on Truth Social, his social media site. “If it weren’t for me, they would be doing just as they’ve done for the past 20 years — Terrible!” Trump added that “it would be nice if they would understand that” but acknowledged that ranchers have to get the price of beef down. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. The White House has been mulling a plan to buy Argentine beef as a way to lower costs for U.S. consumers, but that’s been met with fierce resistance from ranchers and Senate Republicans who are otherwise allies of the administration. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
President Donald Trump, facing criticism from beef producers and ag-state Republicans on his proposal to purchase beef from Argentina, boasted Wednesday about his record for America’s ranchers. WATCH: Why Trump is giving Argentina a $20 billion lifeline to help its flailing economy “The Cattle Ranchers, who I love, don’t understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50% Tariff on Brazil,” Trump posted on Truth Social, his social media site. “If it weren’t for me, they would be doing just as they’ve done for the past 20 years — Terrible!” Trump added that “it would be nice if they would understand that” but acknowledged that ranchers have to get the price of beef down. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. The White House has been mulling a plan to buy Argentine beef as a way to lower costs for U.S. consumers, but that’s been met with fierce resistance from ranchers and Senate Republicans who are otherwise allies of the administration. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now