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DENVER, CO – Senator Dylan Roberts, Chair of the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee and Representative Karen McCormick, Chair of the House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee, today released the following statement in response to a comment made by President Trump to purchase more Argentine beef.
Senator Roberts, D-Frisco, and Representative McCormick, D-Longmont:
“President Trump’s so-called ‘America First’ policies and his reckless trade wars are hurting Colorado’s hardworking farmers’ and ranchers’ bottom line. Trump’s latest suggestion to purchase more Argentine beef will only cause chaos and confusion in the U.S. beef markets, undercut cattle producers and do nothing to lower the cost of beef. Flooding the market with Argentine beef will harm cattlemen and women in Colorado, who have worked tirelessly to produce high-quality beef for, in some cases, generations.
“Colorado has a rich history of cattle production, and we will not stand idly by while the Trump Administration continues to prioritize trade wars over Colorado farmers and ranchers. We call on President Trump to put American farmers first and allow our domestic cattle industry and rural communities to thrive.”
Over the weekend, President Trump suggested the U.S. should purchase more Argentine beef to lower costs for American consumers. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, beef prices in the U.S. have hit record highs, partially due to smaller herds, disease and tariffs. Trump’s trade wars have also affected soybean farmers. China, which was one of the largest buyers of U.S. soybeans, imported no soybeans from American farmers in September due to the high tariffs and trade tensions.
The Trump Administration’s economic policies continue to raise prices for consumers. As outlined in the September economic forecast by Legislative Council Staff, tariffs paid soared to a near-century high of 8.2 percent in Q2.
According to the Colorado Cattlemen's Association, cattle production is Colorado’s number one agricultural commodity, with 2.7 million head of cattle being raised by families in every county of Colorado. In total, direct and indirect impacts from this loss in beef exports are estimated to result in a loss of 265 jobs and $80 million of economic output in Colorado.