"Now is not the time to open the border to receive Canadian beef down to the United States"

This quote by Max Baucus is a caution against opening the border to get Canadian beef into the United States. It indicates that the current situation is not ideal for such a move. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as the capacity for the spread of illness, the threat of introducing foreign insects, or the capacity for financial disruption. It is most likely that Baucus is recommending that the United States must wait until the scenario is more stable prior to enabling Canadian beef into the country. This might mean waiting up until the pandemic is over, or until the financial situation has actually enhanced. By waiting, the United States can make sure that the intro of Canadian beef is done securely and without disturbance.