I don't think so, my friend. Flooding the market with foreign beef will incentivize ranchers to REDUCE herds.
There is one potential downside that ranchers are emphasizing. If cheaper imports push cattle prices down enough, ranchers have less incentive to retain heifers and rebuild the U.S. herd. That could provide some short-term consumer relief while potentially delaying the long-term supply recovery. U.S. cattle groups have made exactly that argument.
So, Earl, I'd frame Trump's move this way: it can legitimately take some pressure off hamburger prices, but it can't solve the underlying beef-price problem. The fundamental issue is still that America has far fewer cattle than it used to. USDA's August outlook continues to show tight cattle supplies extending into 2027.
So it's not Trump's fault beef prices are rising, it's fewer cattle? Lower supply and higher demand (feeding illegals)? Who knew...
