President Donald Trump scolded a reporter aboard Air Force One on Sunday night after she asked why struggling U.S. farmers should back his administration’s new beef import plan for Argentina, which follows the president’s $20 billion bailout for the country.
During the press gaggle, the reporter began: “What do you have to say to U.S. farmers who feel that the deal is benefiting Argentina more than it is them as they are–”
Trump cut in and snapped: “Look, Argentina is fighting for its life, young lady. You don’t know anything about it.”
He continued: “They’re fighting for their life. Nothing’s benefiting Argentina. They’re fighting for their life. You understand what that means? They have no money. They have no anything. They’re fighting so hard to survive. If I can help them survive in a free world, I happen to like the president of Argentina, I think he’s trying to do the best he can but don’t make it sound like they’re doing great. They are dying. All right? They’re dying.”
The exchange came after the president confirmed plans to buy beef from Argentina, which he argued would curb soaring U.S. meat prices that have risen nearly 14 percent over the past year, worsened by drought, disease, and depleted cattle herds.
Critics have protested the move as a one designed to merely help prop up Trump’s ally, Argentine President Javier Milei, a libertarian populist aligned
The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association warned against the beef import plan Friday that “policymakers [who] hint at intervention or suggest quick fixes… can shake the market’s foundation,” adding that “sudden price moves make it harder for independent producers to plan, invest, and keep their operations running.”
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