ºÃÉ«tv

“I have asked the DOJ to immediately begin an investigation into the Meat Packing Companies who are driving up the price of Beef through Illicit Collusion, Price Fixing, and Price Manipulation,� Trump wrote in the social media post.

“We will always protect our American Ranchers, and they are being blamed for what is being done by Majority Foreign Owned Meat Packers, who artificially inflate prices, and jeopardize the security of our Nation’s food supply,� he continued.

Trump offered no proof to support his allegations.

Beef to record levels in part after drought and years of low prices led to the in decades. Trump’s tariffs on Brazil, a major beef exporter, have also curbed imports.

Concentration in the meat packing business has long been a concern for farmers and politicians on both sides of the aisle. There are four major meat packing companies in the United States, and the largest beef company, JBS, is . JBS USA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.

“Action must be taken immediately to protect Consumers, combat Illegal Monopolies, and ensure these Corporations are not criminally profiting at the expense of the American People,� Trump said.

Last month, Trump suggested the U.S. would to bring down stubbornly high prices for American consumers, angering U.S. cattle ranchers.

Trump’s accusations have renewed a bipartisan presidential fight against rising food prices.

Then-President Joe Biden talked with independent farmers and ranchers about initiatives to reduce by increasing competition within the meat industry. And then-Vice President Kamala Harris, who Trump defeated in winning reelection last year, used her campaign to vow to crackdown on food producers and major supermarkets “ .�

____

Karnowski reported from Minneapolis