Imports were increased to control prices, but farmers protested... USTR anti-acceleration policy change unclear

POLITICO “High prices and tariffs burden the Republican election… a signal to appease concerns about agricultural states.”

(Washington = Yonhap News) Correspondent Lee Yu-mi = Politico, an American political media outlet, reported on the 23rd (local time) that the U.S. Donald Trump administration is considering reducing some of the measures to expand beef imports that have been implemented to ease the price burden.

This is interpreted as a move to appease public sentiment in agricultural states, which are the Republican Party's main support base, at a time when anxiety about the election prospects within the Republican Party is growing ahead of the midterm elections in November.

According to reports, the White House Domestic Policy Committee and some officials are discussing ways to reduce the scale of expansion of foreign beef imports decided by President Trump last month.

Last month, President Trump ordered that up to 300,000 tons of certain beef products be imported without tariffs over quota for 90 days. The intention was to lower beef prices by temporarily lowering tariff barriers and expanding beef imports.

However, as concerns were raised that increased imports could put pressure on the price of American cattle, opposition continued from Republican lawmakers and farmers, especially in agricultural states such as Iowa.

In addition, with the aftermath of the Iran war ahead of the midterm elections, the sense of crisis among Republican candidates is growing even more.

Rep. Ashley Hinson, a Republican senatorial candidate from Iowa, recently struck an angle with President Trump, citing high oil prices and difficulties for farmers due to the Iran war.

Other Republican candidates, including former Congressman Mike Rogers, a Republican senatorial candidate in Michigan, a key battleground state, are also making similar voices.

Politico analyzed that the fact that a plan to partially reverse the expansion of beef imports is being discussed in this situation is "a clear sign that the White House is trying to calm the concerns of Republican candidates in swing states and agricultural states as high prices and Trump's tariff policy are acting as a burden in the election campaign."

However, it is unclear whether these discussions will lead to actual policy changes.

Sources reported that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is opposed to reducing imports, taking the position that increased imports are necessary to lower beef prices in the short term.