DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) — U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R – IA 2nd District, Marion) said on Friday she disagrees with President Donald Trump’s decision to temporarily end tariffs on beef imported from several other countries as a way to try to lower the cost of beef.
American consumers have faced record prices. Adding less expensive foreign meat could provide consumers with cheaper options for beef.
Hinson made her comments at the Iowa State Fair, where she stood at the Iowa Pork Producers Association tent.
She said she disagrees with President Trump on increasing imports of beef from countries that could include Argentina. The beef could be cheaper and of lesser quality and could hurt American ranchers.
“I think it’s a bad idea the way we’re trying to handle this,” Hinson said. “It should be driven by market conditions.”
Hinson mentioned the diminished U.S. cattle production. “The herd is at a 70-year low, and we need to be doing everything we can to support our Iowa cattlemen in what they do. We grow the highest quality beef here in Iowa, and so absolutely I’ll be advocating to the administration because I think we need to be focusing on growing the herd the right way and protecting our cattlemen.”
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association also criticized President Trump’s actions.
The association said in a statement:
“President Trump’s announcement today about importing foreign beef is extremely disappointing to the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and its members. The President’s comments and decisions have created unnecessary market volatility today.
The drop in the markets will directly impact their profitability and bottom line, and in turn impacts decisions our producers are making about expanding their cattle herds. We believe the government should avoid intervention and let the market work.”
Hinson’s Democratic opponent in the U.S. Senate race, state Rep. Josh Turek, also criticized President Trump’s actions.
Turek released this statement:
“Today’s decision delivers yet another blow to Iowa farmers and beef producers. First the tariffs that drove up input costs and wrecked the markets. Then the $20 billion bailout to Argentina. Then a senseless war that continues to drive up the price of diesel and fertilizer. And now this.
Iowa farmers in every corner of the state have told me that these decisions have been just one gut punch after another — they deserve better. In the U.S. Senate, I’ll always fight for Iowa farmers.”
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