South Dakota politicians clash Over trump's beef deal

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - A social media announcement by President Donald J. Trump outlining plans to import 300,000 metric tons of tariff-free foreign ground beef has drawn sharp criticism from South Dakota agricultural organizations and political candidates, warning of severe long-term damage to local ranchers already struggling under high operational costs.

The controversy began Friday when President Trump announced on Truth Social that the U.S. would allow the massive influx of foreign beef over the next 90 days with “no out-of-quota tariff.” Trump claimed the deal, negotiated with undisclosed partners, guarantees beef will be sold at 25% below current market prices to lower grocery costs for American families while giving the “Great American Beef Herd” space to grow.

According to agricultural groups, the timing of the imports could not be worse. Livestock producers are currently in the fall season, a critical period when they bring calves and feeder cattle to market.

“Our farmers are dealing with the smallest herds that America has seen since the 1950s,” said Nikki Gronli, the Democratic candidate for South Dakota’s lone U.S. House seat. “This does not help them in any way with building long-term herd sizes. In fact, it could potentially cause the situation where some of our older ranchers who are really struggling may decide just to sell and get out.”

The national cattle herd has shrunk to its lowest count in 75 years, primarily due to years of widespread regional drought and low prices that discouraged expansion. Although high prices in grocery stores had recently begun translating to better returns for local ranchers, industry leaders argue that swamping the market with foreign products will crush that fragile recovery.

Adding to the agricultural strain is a looming 50% tariff on Canadian imports set for September 8, which Gronli warns will trigger a devastating trade war. “Canada is our number one trading partner,” Gronli said. “When aluminum and steel get tariffed, that impacts not only farm equipment that our farmers buy, but also our food processing.”

Despite the bipartisan backlash against the foreign beef imports, there is disagreement on the administration’s tariff strategy.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, who is also campaigning for the state’s congressional seat, supported the Canadian tariffs as a necessary, temporary measure to level the playing field. “It’s not free and fair when other countries are taxing our product, our beef, our soybeans, our corn,” Jackley said. “We need to level the playing field. President Trump is working to level that.”

However, Jackley firmly broke ranks with the administration regarding the foreign beef deal, highlighting his successful record as Attorney General in challenging big meat packers to protect local labeling. “As somebody that owns a farm and a ranch and is the Attorney General of South Dakota, I don’t support that,” Jackley said of the import plan. “I’ve taken a strong position for South Dakota in being part of the Product of the U.S.A. lawsuit.”