My letter is in response to “Make Argentina Great Again” (Letters, Journal, Oct. 29). First, I want to make clear I’m neither a Trump hater nor supporter. I am an independent who thinks for myself, using facts rather than the rants of others to make decisions. Growing up on a farm and ranch, I support our farmers and ranchers. What I don’t support are those who let their agendas spout lies, hoping others will believe them.
In the Oct. 29 letter, the author wrote, “It’s also fabulous that you’re (Trump) going to buy their fine beef to lower our inflated food costs.” That statement is not factual. Our government is not buying Argentine beef. Here’s what is actually happening: From Reuters News, Oct. 24: “Raising the tariff rate quota on Argentine beef to 80,000 metric tons will let the country ship more of its beef to the U.S. at a lower rate of duty. U.S. beef prices have set records due to tight cattle supplies and strong consumer demand.” The U.S. government is not buying Argentine beef, it’s allowing more in at the same lower tariff rate as the original quota of 20,000 tons.
The U.S. consumes 12 million metric tons/year. The increase of 60,000 tons is 0.005 of the amount we consume. I – and the experts – suggest that’s not enough to lower near record beef prices, not hurting or helping anyone in the U.S.
Rick Corbitt
Dolores
