Over the past 30 years, Washington has pursued “free trade” policies, including the elimination of tariffs, intended to lower consumer prices. This sounded great, in theory. However, the real-world result has been the ongoing dismantlement of America’s domestic beef supply chain and commercial sheep industry.
Under “free trade,” overseas cattle producers enjoy a price advantage. They pay their workers lower wages, and their safety and environmental standards are weaker than those mandated for America’s domestic farmers. As a result, importers make large profits by bringing in cheap meat and produce, leading to lower-quality, potentially unsafe food for U.S. families.