SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — President Donald Trump ‘s plan to cut record beef prices by importing more meat from Argentina is running into opposition from American ranchers who are enjoying some rare profitable years and skepticism from industry analysts who say the president’s move probably wouldn’t lead to cheaper prices at grocery stores.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association along with the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America and other farming groups — who are typically some of the president’s biggest supporters — all criticized the plan because of what it could do to American ranchers and feedlot operators.

Agricultural economists also say Argentine beef accounts for such a small slice of beef imports — only about 2 percent — that even doubling that wouldn’t change prices much.

South Dakota rancher Brett Kenzy said he wants American consumers to determine whether beef is too expensive, not the government.

So far there is little sign that consumers are substituting chicken or other proteins for beef on their shopping lists even though the average price of a pound of ground beef hit its highest point ever at $6.32 in the latest report before the government shutdown began.

“I love ‘Make America Great Again’ rhetoric. I love ‘America First’ rhetoric,” Kenzy said. “But to me this feels a lot like the failed policies of the past — the free trade sourcing cheap global goods.”

Several factors have sent beef prices soaring, starting with continued strong demand combined with the smallest herd size since 1961. In part, that small herd is due to years of drought and low cattle prices.

Beef imports also are down overall because of the 50 percent tariffs that Trump imposed on Brazil, a big beef exporter, and limits on Mexico, where the
country is fighting a flesh-eating pest.