To combat the high cost of living, the American president temporarily suspended duties on beef imports: a measure which however irritated both breeders and farmers. And Republican lawmakers in the meantime are worried
La Rubrica - Outside the Beltway: cronache e analisi di politica Usa
While the electoral campaign for Midterms is about to come alive, Donald Trump tries to take action to combat the high cost of living. It is in this context that the American president suspended customs duties for 90 days on the import of 300,000 tons of beef: meat that should subsequently be sold at a 25% discount compared to the market price. “The U.S. beef market is currently facing a supply shortage to meet consumer demand, and the President’s action is helping to meet near-term beef needs as the Administration works with American farmers to expand domestic production and boost the U.S. livestock herd, which is currently at its lowest level in decades,” said the White House.
The siege of inflation and the issue of energy costs
It is clear that, with this move, Trump aims to lower food prices in view of the midterms. According to theUS Bureau of Labor Statisticsground beef prices have in fact increased by 53% since 2021, or by $2.90 per kilo. More generally, the main problem for Trump lies in the cost of energy, which, having risen following the war in Iran, contributes to the increases in the prices of basic necessities. Suffice it to say that, at the end of last week, the price of petrol in the United States remained above four dollars a barrel: a little lower than the May peaks, yes, but much higher, if compared to the period before the conflict with the Islamic Republic, when it was below three dollars. Furthermore, it has been known since the autumn of last year that one of the key issues in the next mid-term elections will be the cost of living. And that’s exactly where i Democrats they aim to hit the Republicans. All this therefore makes us understand the meaning of the suspension of duties on beef imports by the occupant of the White House.
Farmers’ discontent and the balance of Congress
Nonetheless, Trump must be careful. As highlighted by ABC News, US breeders and farmers did not appreciate his move much. This is a factor that is worrying various Republican parliamentarians. “Flooding the market with lower-quality beef hurts Nebraska farmers and ranchers,” said Republican Senator from Nebraska, Pete Ricketts. “For Wyoming ranchers, feeding America needs to get easier, not harder,” the Republican senator from Wyoming added. John Barrasso. It is interesting to note how, in the next Midterms, there will be quite competitive challenges in agricultural states, such as Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming. Add to this the fact that traditionally farmers in the USA are on average closer to Republican Party: in 2024, they voted overwhelmingly for the current occupant of the White House. Trump therefore knows that he must avoid losing the support of these voters if he wants to maintain control of both houses of Congress. Will he succeed?
