Growing Pressure Over Rising Costs
President Donald Trump rolls back tariffs on many food imports. He signs an order that lifts duties on items like coffee, bananas and beef. The move follows rising pressure as grocery prices climb. Trump previously downplayed cost-of-living worries, but recent Republican losses shift his focus. The White House list includes avocados, tomatoes, coconuts and mangoes. Officials say US producers cannot supply these goods in enough quantity.
Trump Defends His Tariff Course
Trump insists his tariffs never pushed consumer prices higher. He calls affordability concerns a political ploy by Democrats. He argues the levies help reduce the US trade deficit. He claims foreign partners exploited America for years. Yet grocery inflation, especially beef prices, threatens his political standing. Trump orders an investigation into meatpackers and accuses firms of fixing prices. He seeks public support by offering 2,000-dollar rebate checks. The Supreme Court now reviews whether he held the authority to issue them. The new exemptions signal a shift as the White House tries to calm household budgets.
Washington Targets Quick Relief
Trump tells reporters the exemptions only cover products the US cannot produce. He says the step does not protect any domestic industry. He adds he expects no further reversals. He claims coffee prices will drop quickly after the change. Economists warn companies pass tariff costs to customers. Inflation stays softer than expected in September, but most goods still rise. Grocery costs climb 2.7 percent compared with last year. The White House says the exemptions apply retroactively from midnight on 13 November. It also plans lower import duties on coffee and bananas in deals with four Latin American nations. Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent promise a 20 percent fall in US coffee prices this year.
The Full List of Duty-Free Foods
The White House publishes a list of more than 100 products now free of tariffs. It includes coffee, cocoa, black tea, green tea and vanilla beans. Many beef items gain exemption, such as premium cuts, bone-in and boneless pieces, corned beef and various frozen or cured meats. The list also features a wide range of fruits, including acai, avocados, bananas, coconuts, guavas, limes, oranges, mangoes, plantains, pineapples, peppers and tomatoes. Spices such as allspice, bay leaves, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, curry, dill, fennel, ginger, mace, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, saffron and turmeric also drop out of the tariff regime. Nuts, grains, roots and seeds round out the list. These include barley, Brazil nuts, capers, cashews, chestnuts, macadamia nuts, miso, palm hearts, pine nuts, poppy seeds, tapioca, taro and water chestnuts.
