United States President Donald Trump stated on Friday (7) that he has requested the Department of Justice to immediately open an investigation into U.S. meatpacking companies. According to him, the companies would be artificially raising the price of beef through collusion, price fixing, and manipulation. Trump stated that the value of live cattle is falling, while packaged meat remains expensive, which, according to him, would indicate "something suspicious" in the market. He promised punishment if irregularities are proven. U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi informed that the investigation is already underway. The relationship with cattle ranchers has deteriorated since October, when Trump suggested increasing the import of Argentine beef to reduce domestic prices, which reached record levels. Producers criticized the proposal, arguing that the measure would harm the sector, which faces strong demand and high margins. Trump stated on his social media that "the cattle ranchers, ...