Ranchers Blast Trump: “Cattlemen Can’t Stand Behind You”

UPDATE: The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has issued a fierce denunciation of comments made by President Donald Trump regarding American cattle ranchers. Speaking on Wednesday, Trump claimed that the current success of U.S. cattle ranchers is solely due to his administration’s tariffs on imported beef, particularly a 50% tariff on Brazil.

In his remarks, Trump stated, “If it weren’t for me, they would be doing just as they’ve done for the past 20 years — Terrible!” He emphasized that ranchers need to lower prices, citing consumer considerations as a significant factor in his administration’s priorities.

The NCBA swiftly responded, reposting Trump’s comments on Facebook alongside a pointed reply. “The reality is that ranchers’ success is driven by their own hard work,” the association asserted, highlighting the competitive landscape that U.S. cattle producers navigate. They emphasized their pride in supplying the “safest, highest-quality beef on earth” and urged the government to refrain from undermining them by increasing imports of Argentinian beef, which could distort market prices.

“Cattlemen and women cannot stand behind President Trump while he undercuts the future of family farmers and ranchers,” the NCBA declared. The organization further stressed the importance of letting cattle markets function without government interference.

The statement continued to call on Trump and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to shift their focus towards initiatives that genuinely support domestic cattle producers. The NCBA urged the administration to abandon market manipulation tactics and instead invest in critical projects, such as completing the promised New World Screwworm facility in Texas and addressing regulatory challenges that threaten the domestic cattle herd.

This escalating conflict underscores a significant rift between the Trump administration and key agricultural stakeholders. With the future of American ranchers hanging in the balance, the NCBA’s strong rebuke serves as a clarion call for unity among cattle producers in the face of potential market disruptions.

As developments unfold, all eyes will be on how the Trump administration responds to these pressing concerns from the cattle industry, a vital component of the American agricultural landscape.