When Tim Brunner was at an auction barn earlier this week, he was surprised to see decent cows selling several hundred dollars cheaper than they were just a few weeks ago.
He largely blames President Donald Trump. And he’s not the only one.
The White House’s abrupt decision last week to ease tariffs on 300,000 metric tons — more than 660 million pounds — of foreign beef imports has infuriated American cattle ranchers and congressional Republicans alike.
While the president promised the 90-day change would ease high prices for staple foods like hamburgers, many domestic livestock producers took it as a slap in the face during an already-difficult time.
"It’s absolutely idiotic," said Brunner, the president of the Montana Cattlemen's Association, one of several organizations representing cattle ranchers across the Treasure State.