The Hill reports:

President Trump is breaking from his “America First” trade agenda and feuding with some of his most loyal supporters in a fight over U.S. beef prices.

Trump has centered his economic agenda on reducing the U.S.’s reliance on cheaper foreign products and boosting domestic production of goods and food.

But the president’s plan to boost imports of Argentinian beef while urging American suppliers to lower their prices marks a sharp departure from his platform.

The dispute is threatening Trump’s long-standing support from agriculture groups and workers, who stood by the president during his first term despite the backlash they faced from his trade agenda.

“I have no idea who is telling our great president — our ‘America First’ president — that this is a good idea,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a staunch Trump ally, in an appearance on “The Tucker Carlson” show this week. “Because, honestly, it’s a punch in the gut to all of our American cattle ranchers, and they are furious and rightfully so.”

Trump stoked panic among ranchers and concern from Republican lawmakers last week by announcing plans to quadruple beef imports from Argentina.

Beef prices are up 15 percent over the past year, according to federal inflation data released Friday, because of a combination of environmental factors and tariffs imposed in Trump’s trade war. Rising beef prices are a major part of the 3.1 percent increase in food prices over the past year.

Trump said bringing in beef from Argentina would reduce prices in the U.S. while bailing out the bankrupt South American nation. The president has approved billions of dollars in aid for the country to bolster his ally, Argentinian President Javier Milei, as he faces elections while presiding over an economic crisis.

“They’re fighting for their life. You understand what that means?” Trump told reporters Sunday in response to a question on Air Force One.

“They have no money, they have no anything. They’re fighting so hard to survive. If I can help them survive in a free world — I happen to like the president of Argentina, I think he’s trying to do the best he can. But don’t make it sound like they’re doing great,” he said.

The president was already facing bipartisan criticism over his decision to bail out Argentina through $20 billion in direct financial support during the ongoing government shutdown, which has left thousands of military and federal workforce members without pay.

But his decision to quadruple the quota for tariff-free Argentinian beef farmers infuriated ranchers and some GOP lawmakers. [Continue reading…]