CHICAGO/WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said August 21 he will temporarily ease U.S. beef tariffs in an effort to lower prices for consumers, drawing criticism from cattle producers who warned the move could undermine efforts to rebuild domestic herds.

Trump will sign an executive order within the next two weeks expanding by 300,000 metric tons the amount of ground beef that can enter the U.S. at lower import tariffs, the White House said. The measure will remain in effect for 90 days.

Trump said he had "a commitment" that imported meat would be sold at 25% below current market prices, but provided no further details. The White House did not say which countries would supply the additional beef or discount their export prices.

"This deal will reduce prices for Americans while giving space for our Great American Beef Herd to grow again," Trump said.

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association said the plan could hurt farmers and ranchers and discourage expansion of the U.S. cattle herd.

"While America's cattle producers share the goal of keeping groceries affordable for consumers, flooding the market with government-subsidized, below-market beef is not the way to rebuild the American cattle herd," CEO Colin Woodall said.

Beef prices have hovered near record highs as U.S. cattle inventories have fallen to their lowest level in 75 years. Ranchers reduced their herds following years of drought that damaged grazing lands and increased feed costs.

Supplies tightened further after the U.S. suspended imports of Mexican cattle last year over concerns about the spread of a flesh-eating livestock pest. U.S. meatpackers have also been closing processing plants as cattle costs soar.

Cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange fell to eight-month lows following Trump's announcement.

Economists and traders questioned whether the additional imports would significantly reduce consumer prices, saying 300,000 tons over 90 days represents a relatively small share of U.S. beef consumption.

"This is just a drop in the bucket," independent trader Dan Norcini said. "It really does nothing to fix the main issue which is a greatly reduced supply of cattle here in the U.S. That will take time and the actions of the market to correct."