'Flying like a lead balloon': Republicans slam Trump policy hitting red states hardest

More Republicans are now speaking out against President Donald Trump's plan to ramp up beef imports — particularly those from states with large numbers of cattle ranchers.

NBC News reported Wednesday that GOP lawmakers are ramping up their criticism of Trump's suggestion that he'll increase beef imports from Argentina, and that many of those critics come from some of the reddest states in the country. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) was reportedly one of the most outspoken lawmakers on a recent House Republican Conference call, with her state having roughly 5,700 cattle farms and ranches according to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). The NCBA's data also shows Wyoming is home to 1.3 million cattle, meaning there are more cows than people in the Cowboy State.

"[A]ny import policy must hold foreign suppliers to those same rigorous standards [that American beef producers are held to]," read a letter eight Republican lawmakers sent the White House this week. "Introducing beef from countries with inconsistent safety or inspection records could undermine the confidence that U.S. ranchers have worked decades to earn."

Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-N.D.) elaborated on the letter in a Tuesday tweet, writing: "In recent days, we’ve heard concerns from producers regarding reports that the U.S. may import beef from Argentina. My @HouseGOP colleagues joined me in asking for clarity on the admin’s plans."

Other lawmakers who signed onto the letter include Reps. Troy Downing (R-Mont.), Gabe Evans (R-Colo.), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.), Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), August Pfluger (R-Texas) and Derek Schmidt (R-Kan.).

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), whose state's economy is also heavily influenced by the beef industry, harshly criticized the proposal to import more Argentinian beef, and directly laid blame at Trump's feet for the harsh economic environment facing farmers and ranchers.

“Our ranchers struggled for several years, and is now one of the few bright spots in our AG economy,” Bacon told NBC. "After the administration loaned $40 billion to Argentina, and China is buying all their soybeans from Argentina instead of from the U.S., the suggestion we need to buy more beef from Argentina is flying like a lead balloon."

Trump appeared sensitive to the criticism, insisting in a Wednesday post to his Truth Social platform that cattle ranchers were doing well under his administration due to his tariffs on Brazilian beef, and that they should do more to lower their own prices.

"If it weren’t for me, they would be doing just as they’ve done for the past 20 years — Terrible!" Trump wrote. "It would be nice if they would understand that, but they also have to get their prices down, because the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking, also!"

Click here to read NBC's full report.