Political peril spurs Trump to act on beef prices even as ranchers rage
Source: Politico
10/27/2025 05:00 AM EDT
The Trump administration is acutely aware of a looming political vulnerability: beef. In just the last month, President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration with the high prices U.S. consumers are seeing in grocery stores, promising a deal to bring the price down. The near-term solution to boost supply plans to purchase 80,000 metric tons of beef from Argentina, quadruple the typical quota has spurred intense backlash from farm-state Republicans and agriculture industry groups who have felt burned by several Trump administration policies in recent months.
But Trumps election was fueled, in part, by Americans concerns over high costs, an issue the president often hammered on the campaign trail as he promised food prices would fall if he returned to the White House. Ten months in, Trump and his top aides are scrambling to keep the campaign pledge, calculating that in the short-term its worth antagonizing ranchers, a loyal GOP constituency that benefits from elevated beef prices, if they can bring down costs for consumers.
Its kind of like eggs, part two, said one person close to the Trump administration, who was granted anonymity to discuss private conversations. This all kind of started with just concern over consumer prices.
The average price for a pound of ground beef is $6.32, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Thats up about 14 percent since Trump took office, and meat remains one of the key drivers of overall inflation in grocery stores, according to the latest federal data on food prices released Friday.
Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/27/like-eggs-part-two-trump-administration-scrambles-to-bring-down-beef-prices-00622680
These cult members willing "drink the Kool-Aid" to "own the libs" and only whine "privately" until they are forced to "cry uncle".
BaronChocula
(3,663 posts)for cryin' out loud
When they confess on social media the depth of their maga despair, I'm conflicted. I appreciate their honesty, I'm glad they're getting their just desserts, but I think about how they probably have about as much capacity to learn as a clam.
twodogsbarking
(16,422 posts)Makes Epstein a back burner story.
progressoid
(52,231 posts)Food products aren't immune to inflation. When raw ingredients cost more, chip production costs rise. Think water for crops, oil for frying, transportation fuel, labor, and land fees. Chip companies typically increase price tags to make up the difference. However, Sherwood News reports that the price of chips has increased 30.6% in the past five years, while the consumer price index has only increased 20.6%. So what other factors are at play?
Climate change is one major culprit. Potatoes need a cool climate to grow, and as temperatures increase, farmers are experiencing smaller yields. While Idaho and Washington are famous for potato production, Pennsylvania holds the title of "The Potato Chip Capital of the World" thanks to numerous potato chip factories. The state grows some potatoes, but not enough to keep up with demand. Climate change only exacerbates this. And when chip companies need to ship potatoes from distant states, production costs increase.
....https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/staggering-price-potato-chips-1950s-141700956.html
Aussie105
(7,335 posts)'Make me look good by lowering consumer staple prices' says Trump.
The free market says . . . Yeah, Nah!
Same in Australia though.
I must be getting stronger, I can carry the $100 worth of shopping into the house easily.
Might just be it is now just down to two bags though.
And no meat in either.
But it isn't a political thing here, no politician has been stupid enough to promise to lower prices.
Trump has made it a political thing by bragging and promising - not a good hill for him to choose to die on.
(But I hope he does.)

Prairie Gates
(6,609 posts)Trump is so very tuned in and concerned about beef prices, everyone! Politico sez so.
These fucking trashbags.
BumRushDaShow
(162,418 posts)is a rare thing from them and should be shown whenever it happens.