US President Donald Trump Plans to Let Farmers Process Food to Lower Beef Prices

US President Donald Trump said he plans to authorize farmers and ranchers to process food themselves. According to Sina Finance, the move is the latest step by the Trump administration ahead of the November U.S. midterm elections to reduce beef prices. Trump wrote on social media on Friday that he would direct the drafting of related legal documents to break the meatpacking industry's "powerful monopoly." He also said he had authorized the drafting of legal documents to give farmers and ranchers the right to process food themselves, and that the work should move forward as soon as possible. It is unclear whether Trump has the authority to make the changes or what practical effect any future executive measures would have. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said more measures will be announced on Monday, including plans to "cut red tape in processing" and "expand ranchers' ability to sell products across state lines." Trump has been seeking to lower beef prices as the cost of living remains the top concern for voters ahead of the midterm elections, including by increasing foreign imports and launching antitrust investigations into meatpacking companies.