President Trump is breaking from his "America First" trade agenda and feuding with some of his most loyal supporters in a fight over U.S. beef prices.

Trump has centered his economic agenda on reducing the U.S.'s reliance on cheaper foreign products and boosting domestic production of goods and food.

But the president's plan to boost imports of Argentinian beef while urging American suppliers to lower their prices marks a sharp departure from his platform.

The dispute is threatening Trump's long-standing support from agriculture groups and workers, who stood by the president during his first term despite the backlash they faced from his trade agenda.

“I have no idea who is telling our great president — our ‘America First’ president — that this is a good idea,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a staunch Trump ally, in an appearance on "The Tucker Carlson" show this week. “Because, honestly, it’s a punch in the gut to all of our American cattle ranchers, and they are furious and rightfully so.”

Why Trump is locking horns with ranchers

Trump stoked panic among ranchers and concern from Republican lawmakers last week by announcing plans to quadruple beef imports from Argentina.

Beef prices are up 15 percent over the past year, according to federal inflation data released Friday, because of a combination of environmental factors and tariffs imposed in Trump’s trade war. Rising beef prices are a major part of the 3.1 percent increase in food prices over the past year.

Trump said bringing in beef from Argentina would reduce prices in the U.S. while bailing out the bankrupt South American nation. The........

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