Growing Pressure Over Rising Prices
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 step follows intense pressure as grocery bills rise. Trump downplayed cost-of-living concerns before the weak Republican election results. The White House list includes avocados, tomatoes, coconuts and mangoes. Officials say domestic producers cannot supply these goods in sufficient amounts.
Trump Defends His Tariff Strategy
Trump insists his tariffs never raised consumer prices. He calls affordability concerns a political trick by Democrats. He argues the taxes protect the US by shrinking the trade deficit. He says foreign partners exploited the country for years. Yet rising grocery costs, especially beef, turn into a political threat. Trump orders an investigation into meatpackers and alleges illegal price manipulation. He tries to rally backing by offering 2,000-dollar rebate checks. The Supreme Court now reviews whether he held the authority to issue them. The new exemptions mark a shift as the White House attempts to lower everyday prices.
White House Aims for Quick Relief
Trump tells reporters the exemptions cover products the US cannot produce. He says the move does not shield any domestic industry. He adds that no further policy reversals seem likely. He claims coffee prices will fall soon after the rollback. Economists warn companies usually pass tariff costs to customers. Inflation stays milder than forecasts in September, yet most goods still get more expensive. Grocery prices rise 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 taxes on coffee and bananas in new deals with four Latin American nations. Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent promise a 20 percent drop in US coffee prices this year.
What Now Enters the US Duty-Free
The administration releases a list of more than 100 tariff-free items. It includes coffee, cocoa, black tea, green tea and vanilla beans. Many beef products gain exemption, such as premium cuts, bone-in and boneless pieces, corned beef and various frozen or cured meats. Numerous fruits also appear on the list, including acai, avocados, bananas, coconuts, guavas, limes, oranges, mangoes, plantains, pineapples, peppers and tomatoes. Spices like allspice, bay leaves, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, curry, dill, fennel, ginger, mace, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, saffron and turmeric lose their duties as well. Nuts, grains, roots and seeds, such as barley, Brazil nuts, capers, cashews, chestnuts, macadamia nuts, miso, palm hearts, pine nuts, poppy seeds, tapioca, taro and water chestnuts, complete the list.
