Ricketts weighs in on Trump’s beef import plan

Lincoln, Neb. (KLKN) — Beef may not be what’s for dinner tonight as many families struggle to make ends meet.

Inflation data shows beef prices have risen much faster than those of other foods. Ground beef prices rose 9% in July from a year ago, while beef steak prices rose 9.6%, according to the latest Consumer Price Index report.

President Donald Trump says his latest move to allow more foreign beef into the United States without an out-of-quota tariff is intended to offset those costs.

The change applies to up to 300,000 metric tons of product for ground beef over the next 90 days.

With affordability playing out at the ballot box this November, the move is drawing concerns from Nebraska cattle producers, who say it could create more uncertainty for ranchers.

Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, who is running for reelection, said short-term action will not address what he sees as the longer-term issue of growing the U.S. cattle herd.

“I appreciate the fact that they want to try and bring grocery prices down, but the short-term solutions are actually not going to get at the long-term issue of growing the herd to be able to bring down beef prices for consumers,” Ricketts said.

Channel 8 asked Ricketts whether shoppers will actually see lower prices as a result of the change.

“It remains to be seen if American consumers will actually see those discounted prices,” Ricketts said. “We’re still asking the White House for some details about how this is all supposed to work out and where even the beef is supposed to be coming from. We don’t have any answers on that yet.”

Groups representing the cattle industry have opposed attempts to increase imports over concerns that they could undercut American cattle producers.