On August 21, Trump said in a social media post that within the next 90 days, the United States would allow tariff-free imports of up to 300,000 metric tons of broken beef. Importers would commit to pricing the goods at least 25% below the market price. He said the move is intended to lower consumer prices while creating room for China’s domestic livestock and breeding industry to recover and grow. Due to years of drought and high livestock-raising costs, the number of U.S. cattle has fallen to the lowest level in 75 years, and beef prices have continued to rise. However, the policy has been strongly opposed by cattle ranchers and Republican politicians in agricultural states. The National Cattlemen’s Association criticized it as trading short-term publicity for long-term stability.