Rising Grocery Costs Drive a Policy Shift
President Donald Trump lifts tariffs on a wide range of food imports. He signs an order that removes duties from products such as coffee, bananas and beef. The action follows public frustration over climbing grocery prices. Trump dismissed cost concerns before Republicans struggled in recent elections. The updated exemption list includes avocados, tomatoes, coconuts and mangoes. Officials say US producers cannot grow these goods in sufficient amounts.
Trump Defends His Approach to Trade
Trump maintains his tariffs did not raise consumer prices. He argues Democrats exaggerate affordability issues for political gain. He says the levies help reduce the US trade deficit and protect national interests. He claims foreign partners drained US wealth for years. Yet rising grocery bills, especially beef prices, create a political challenge. Trump orders an investigation into meatpackers and accuses them of manipulating markets. He seeks public backing by offering 2,000-dollar rebate checks tied to tariff revenue. The Supreme Court reviews whether he had authority to issue them. The new exemptions mark a shift as the White House works to ease pressure on households.
Administration Moves to Calm Food Inflation
Trump tells reporters the exemptions apply to goods the US cannot produce. He says the change does not protect any domestic industry. He adds he does not expect additional reversals. He predicts coffee prices will fall quickly after the rollback. Economists warn companies often pass tariff costs directly to shoppers. Inflation stays milder than forecast 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 reduces duties on coffee and bananas through new deals with four Latin American nations. Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pledge a 20 percent drop in US coffee prices this year.
More Than 100 Foods Now Duty-Free
The administration releases a list of more than 100 newly exempt products. It includes coffee, cocoa, black tea, green tea and vanilla beans. Many beef items gain exemption, including premium cuts, bone-in and boneless pieces, corned beef and several frozen or cured meats. A wide range of fruits also enter duty-free, such as acai, avocados, bananas, coconuts, guavas, limes, oranges, mangoes, plantains, pineapples, peppers and tomatoes. Numerous spices also drop out of the tariff system. They include allspice, bay leaves, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, curry, dill, fennel, ginger, mace, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, saffron and turmeric. Nuts, grains, roots and seeds complete the list, including barley, Brazil nuts, capers, cashews, chestnuts, macadamia nuts, miso, palm hearts, pine nuts, poppy seeds, tapioca, taro and water chestnuts.
