Agricultural educator skeptical of Trump’s 90-day beef tariff suspension

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - A former agricultural educator in Northeast Arkansas expressed skepticism Tuesday over President Donald Trump’s plan to temporarily suspend beef tariffs, arguing that the 90-day window misses core problems within the meat market.

Trump announced his intent last Friday in a Truth Social post to pause beef tariffs for 90 days, while allowing up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef to be imported into the United States. In that post, Trump claimed he had a “commitment that this beef will be sold at 25% below current market prices.”

The deal was cut to slash meat prices for Americans while giving space for cattle herds to replenish. While U.S. cattle numbers have plummeted to a 50-year low, local agricultural leaders say importing cheap beef will not address the root causes of the supply shortage.

Homer Linderman, president of the NEA Cattlemen’s Association and a retired agricultural educator, said 300,000 metric tons represents about two percent of annual domestic beef consumption.

“This two percent of the total meat that he is looking at importing is going to have minimal effect for the consumer,” Linderman said. “I really don’t think they will see any effect or any change in pricing at the store.”

Linderman said an issue with raising cattle is the time you need to commit before you see results — it’s an issue that remains after ninety days pass.

“From the time of birth, when a calf is born, it’s normally from 24 to 30 months before that calf actually enters the food chain,” Linderman said.

The White House has not yet announced an exact start date for the 90-day tariff suspension.

To report a typo or correction, please click here.