Trump claims foreign-owned meatpackers driving up US beef prices

President asks justice department to open an investigation but provides no proof to support his allegations

Donald Trump on Friday accused foreign-owned meat packers of driving up the price of beef in the US and asked the Department of Justice to open an investigation.

The Republican president announced the move on social media days after his party suffered losses in key elections in which the winning Democratic candidates focused relentlessly on the public's concerns about the cost of living.