Bananas and coffee weren’t the only food products that were granted tariff exemptions over the weekend. A broad array of products was taken off the tariff list by the Trump administration.
President Donald Trump issued an executive order Friday night that rolled back tariffs on dozens of different food products, going far beyond just the coffee and banana tariffs that administration officials teased last week. The goods include citrus products, teas, certain cooking spices, pineapples, coconut water, and more.
BESSENT PROMISES RELIEF ON PRICES OF COFFEE AND BANANAS AS TARIFFS BITE
In the order, the president said he has received additional information and recommendations from various officials about the circumstances of the tariff regime.
“After considering the information and recommendations these officials have provided to me, the status of negotiations with various trading partners, current domestic demand for certain products, and current domestic capacity to produce certain products, among other things,” Trump has determined to modify tariffs for a wide array of goods, according to the executive order.
Ryan Young, a senior economist at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, said the list of tariff rollbacks is more exhaustive than he expected it would be.
“I was surprised, I think they have 2026 on the mind,” Young, a critic of tariffs, told the Washington Examiner when asked about the scale of the list.
While the rolled-back tariffs apply to many goods that cannot be or generally are not produced in the United States, there are other items that are produced domestically. For instance, the order includes some beef products. Beef prices have increased significantly this year.
Ground beef prices increased by nearly 13% in September from a year ago, according to the most recent consumer price index report. Uncooked beef roasts are up 18.4%, and steaks cost more than 16% more.
All else equal, particularly for food products not produced in great numbers in the U.S., tariffs tend to raise prices. This month’s off-year elections showed that voters are still focused on affordability, so the new exemptions could be part of the push to drive down prices for consumers ahead of next year’s midterm elections.
“I was expecting things that are not made in the U.S. and therefore don’t have any American producers to protect,” Young said. “The fact that this is a lot broader and contains things like beef, I think, is fantastic news for consumers.”
Other items on the list include tomatoes, avocados, macadamia nuts, papayas, paprika, vanilla beans, cinnamon, and chestnuts.
In a statement, FMI – The Food Industry Association, praised the move.
“President Trump’s proclamation to reduce tariffs on a substantial volume of food imports is a critical step ensuring continued adequate supply at prices consumers can afford,” FMI President and CEO Leslie Sarasin said.
But there are some goods that were not exempted that some in the U.S. hoped would be. For instance, the Distilled Spirits Council expressed disappointment that tariffs on certain liquor products were not included.
“Not including EU and UK spirits on the list of tariff modifications is yet another blow to the U.S. hospitality industry just as the critical holiday season kicks into high gear,” CEO Chris Swonger said. “EU and UK spirits, including Scotch, Cognac, and Irish Whiskey, are value-added agricultural products that cannot be produced in the United States.”
WHAT CAN TRUMP DO TO HELP COST OF LIVING BEFORE MIDTERM ELECTIONS?
Polls from this month’s election showed that the economy was the No. 1 issue in Virginia, where Democrats won statewide elections easily, and the cost of living was by far the top issue for voters in New York City.
Trump has argued repeatedly that tariffs are helping the economy, but many voters disagree. A recent ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll found that 63% of people think tariffs add to inflation, and a majority of those surveyed say they hurt their families’ financial situations.
