Trump pledges to allow cattle ranchers to process own food amid beef imports backlash

President faces criticism over plan to import up to 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef without charging higher tariffs Donald Trump has pledged to allow cattle ranchers and farmers to process their own food amid a backlash from the US agricultural sector over his decision to pause US tariffs on foreign beef. The US president has been sharply criticized, including from members of his own party, since announcing the US will temporarily import up to 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef without charging higher tariffs in an effort to bring down prices. Republican lawmakers have warned in recent days that “flooding” stores with imports will hit US ranchers, suggesting that the move is a short-term solution that will hinder cattle farmers from building out their herd, amid a 75-year low. In a statement on Friday, Trump praised farmers and ranchers – describing them as “smart, efficient, and immaculately CLEAN” on social media – and claimed the agricultural sector had “always been a number one priority for me”. “For years I have heard that they have had a tremendous problem with the Big Processors, who many say are a nasty Monopoly,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, referring to