Trump prods American cattle ranchers to 'get their prices down' amid tariff battle

President Donald Trump said in a social media post Wednesday that American cattle ranchers "have to get their prices down," and that the tariffs he's enacted are "the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades."

"The Cattle Ranchers, who I love, don't understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50% Tariff on Brazil," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

"If it weren't for me, they would be doing just as they've done for the past 20 years - Terrible!" the post continued, adding "It would be nice if they would understand that, but they also have to get their prices down, because the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking, also!"

Beef prices in the U.S. rose 12.9% from August of 2024 to August of 2025, compared to a 5.8% rise in the same period the year prior, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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

After Trump's post, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association released a statement pointing to the strong demand in beef currently outpacing supply, which is causing the high prices.

"While low cattle supplies are contributing to high prices, input costs for ranchers continue to increase at a rapid pace keeping profit margins thin," the association said in the statement. "Ranchers are currently rebuilding herds which will increase supply, but it will take time."

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

ABC News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.