Marjorie Taylor Greene attacks Trump's beef import deal

Aug 21, 2026

Trump's plan to lower beef prices by dropping tariffs on foreign beef has split his own base, and it's bad news for American ranchers.

  • Trump is letting large amounts of foreign ground beef into the US tariff-free for 90 days, saying it will be sold well below current prices.
  • Beef prices hit record highs because the US cattle herd is the smallest since the 1950s, with drought and high fertilizer and diesel costs squeezing ranchers.
  • Marjorie Taylor Greene, Senator Tim Sheehy, Thomas Massie, and Tommy Lahren all say the deal helps the big meat packers, not ranchers.
  • The logic is shaky: cheaper beef gives ranchers less reason to grow their herds, not more.
  • The revolt is a sign of Trump's weakness — with his approval near the low 30s, the right feels free to criticize him.

Outlook: Beef prices may dip briefly, but the underlying shortage and the packer monopoly stay untouched, and more Republicans are likely to break ranks.

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