UPDATE: A South Dakota cattle rancher has sharply criticized former President Donald Trump, labeling him “delusional” for his recent comments regarding beef pricing and tariffs. The heated exchange occurred on MSNBC’s “The Weekend” this morning, following Trump’s controversial post on Truth Social on Wednesday.
In his post, Trump claimed that cattle ranchers were thriving due to his imposition of tariffs on imported cattle, including a 50% tariff on Brazil. He asserted, “If it weren’t for me, they would be doing just as they’ve done for the past 20 years — Terrible!” This statement prompted a swift response from Craig Bieber, vice president of the South Dakota Cattleman’s Beef Association.
Bieber emphasized that the positive market conditions for ranchers were not due to Trump’s tariffs but rather a result of long-standing industry dynamics. “I think the president is delusional in the fact that he had anything to do with these markets,” Bieber said. He highlighted the impact of previous years marked by drought and a shrinking cattle herd, which led to an anticipated cattle shortage.
Bieber continued, “Almost everybody in the industry that was self-aware knew this was coming.” He dismissed Trump’s claims, stating that the tariffs played no significant role in the current market situation. “I just don’t really feel that the president — the tariffs didn’t have anything to do with where we were at from a market standpoint.”
This exchange comes at a crucial time for the cattle industry, which has faced challenges and fluctuations in pricing over the past two decades. The implications of these remarks could resonate with ranchers across the country, as they navigate market pressures and consumer demand.
As the debate over cattle pricing intensifies, all eyes are on industry leaders and policymakers to address the concerns raised by ranchers like Bieber. The cattle market remains a hot topic of discussion, with the potential for further developments in the coming days.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.
