Trump Calls for DOJ Investigation into Major Meat Processors

President Donald Trump has instructed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to look into the “Big Four” meat processing companies that dominate the beef market, citing concerns over “price fixing” and “illegal collusion.”

In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “I have called on the Department of Justice to immediately begin an investigation into meat packing companies that are driving up the price of beef through illegal collusion and price manipulation.”

“We will always protect America’s ranchers. And they are holding accountable the actions of the vast majority of foreign meat processors that artificially inflate prices and jeopardize the security of our nation’s food supply. We must take immediate action to protect consumers, combat illegal monopolies, and ensure these companies are not criminally profiting at the expense of the American people. I urge the Department of Justice to take swift action. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.”

Trump pointed out that despite a decrease in cattle prices, the cost of boxed beef is on the rise. “So you know something is ‘suspicious,'” he added.

The president tweeted, “We will get to the truth soon. If there is a crime, those responsible will pay a huge price!”

R-CALF USA, representing U.S. ranchers and beef producers opposing corporate consolidation in the industry, welcomed the announcement.

“We very much appreciate President Trump’s announcement that he is directing the Department of Justice to investigate the beef supply chain to determine whether there are violations of fair competition or antitrust laws,” said CEO Bill Bullard in a statement.

“There has been a long-standing disconnect between cattle prices and beef prices, which we believe is evidence of market failure. We welcome this research to ensure that cattle producers receive competitive prices for their cattle and that consumers pay prices set by competitive markets rather than monopolistic markets.”

Trump anticipates that the DOJ will determine if companies like Brazil-based JBS, Cargill, Tyson Foods, and National Beef have breached antitrust laws by monopolizing the beef supply and pricing in the U.S.

Back in 1980, these four processors only controlled 36% of the U.S. beef market, but now that number has ballooned to 85%.

“Industry consolidation has crushed competition and hurt cattle producers. In the 1980s, the top four packers bought a third of all fed cattle, but by the mid-1990s that share had exploded to over 80%, and concentration has only increased further since then,” a White House press release noted.

“This has led to the exploitation of American consumers, farmers, and ranchers. In fact, there is growing evidence that this monopoly power is cutting payments to ranchers, reducing herd size, driving up consumer prices, and threatening America’s food supply chain.”