Trump Expands Tariff Cuts on Brazilian Food Imports, Including Coffee, Meat
Move targets coffee and beef as White House confronts voter anger over grocery prices
President Donald Trump sharply widened tariff relief for Brazilian food products on Thursday, issuing an executive order (link) that exempts dozens of items from the 40% levy he imposed earlier this year. The action expands on last week’s step, when the administration removed a 10% duty on the same goods but left the higher punitive rate in place.
The decision reflects growing political pressure over the cost of living. By lifting the 40% tariff, the White House aims to ease prices on key consumer staples — especially coffee and beef — at a moment when Americans are registering increasing dissatisfaction with Trump’s economic management.
Quote of note: “After considering the information and recommendations these officials have provided to me and the status of negotiations with the Government of Brazil, among other things, I have determined that it is necessary and appropriate to modify the scope of products subject to the additional ad valorem rate of duty,” the order says. “Specifically, I have determined that certain agricultural products shall not be subject to the additional ad valorem rate of duty.”
Those goods include coffee. Brazil is the world’s largest producer of coffee and the top source of U.S. imports. Tariffs on coffee have angered many U.S. lawmakers, some of whom have introduced legislation to remove them.
Also newly exempted are various types of beef — another controversial commodity of late, as prices have soared in the U.S. due to several reasons.
Brazil, one of the world’s largest agricultural exporters, has been hit with steep U.S. duties since Trump sought to penalize the country over its prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Those tariffs intensified shortages of major food imports and helped push consumer prices to record highs. The expanded exemptions signal a shift in strategy as the administration looks for ways to temper inflation ahead of 2026.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the move to cut agricultural tariffs was part of Trump’s focus on affordability. “What happened is the president said, ‘Hey look, it’s been six months. It’s time. Let’s just wipe the slate clean. If people haven’t made deals with these smaller countries, it’s OK. Let’s cut the price on all these unavailable natural resources and let’s focus on affordability,’” Lutnick told Fox Business News on Thursday.
