President Trump is moving forward with a plan to import 300,000 metric tons of beef without tariffs for 90 days, saying the measure will reduce prices for Americans. He said Friday that the beef would come primarily from Brazil and Argentina and be sold at 25 percent below current market prices. The plan has drawn criticism from cattle producers, agricultural economists and Republican lawmakers, who argue that cheaper imports could reduce rancher revenues just as the U.S. cattle herd sits at its lowest level since 1951. Trump also signed executive orders allowing ranchers and farmers to process and package their own products and promoting country-of-origin labeling for foreign beef, although the labeling measure would require congressional action. Beef prices have risen amid drought, higher operating costs, record-low cattle numbers and strong demand. The average U.S. price for 100 percent ground beef is roughly $6.89 per pound, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shared by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Analysts and industry representatives say the imports would add only about 2 percent to beef supply and are unlikely to materially reduce consumer prices, while potentially discouraging herd expansion. The debate comes as affordability remains a top issue for voters ahead of the midterms and as Trump's support among rural voters has fallen from July to August, according to ActiVote polls.