United States Senator Elizabeth Warren has raised concerns about donations by a JBS subsidiary to President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee ahead of the Brazilian protein giant’s long-planned U.S. dual stock listing.
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. which JBS has owned since 2009 was the top corporate donor to Trump’s second inauguration, giving $5 million.
JBS shareholders are scheduled to vote Friday on company management’s recommendation to approve the dual listing, first announced in 2023. The Securities and Exchange Commission ruled last month that the plan could go forward.
"Your large donations and direct stake in federal policies and enforcement actions, and the Trump administration's series of actions that benefit your companies, raise serious concerns about a potential quid-pro-quo arrangement," Warren wrote in a letter reported by the Reuters news agency.
JBS’ pursuit of a U.S. listing has met with opposition from environmental groups to issues such as rainforest conservation in Brazil.
Democrats in Congress have echoed that criticism while raising labor issues and have been joined by some Republicans questioning JBS business practices including price-fixing allegations and a past bribery scandal in Brazil.
