US: President Donald Trump has signed an order rolling back US tariffs on several widely consumed agricultural imports, offering relief to households struggling with rising living costs.
The decision removes duties on products such as beef, bananas, coffee, tomatoes, avocados, coconuts, and pineapples. The exemptions are backdated and took effect on Thursday, according to the order published by the White House.
The move comes as the administration faces mounting pressure from voters who have been hit by higher food prices in recent months. Many of the products on the exemption list are items the United States relies heavily on from overseas suppliers.
Coffee is a prime example, with the vast majority imported from Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Prices for coffee surged by roughly 20 per cent in both August and September due to a mix of climate shocks, supply disruptions, and earlier tariffs.
Industry groups say the rollback will help stabilise the market. Bill Murray of the National Coffee Association noted that the change will ease pressure on the two-thirds of American adults who begin their day with a cup of coffee and will help secure supplies for businesses across the country.
Beef prices have also risen this year as domestic cattle supplies tightened, making the import tariff a point of concern for retailers and consumers. The White House said the new exemptions apply to qualifying agricultural goods that are not grown or produced in sufficient quantities in the United States.
The announcement follows a series of trade agreements unveiled this week with Argentina, Guatemala, Ecuador, and El Salvador. Under these deals, Washington agreed to lift reciprocal tariffs on products it cannot grow, mine, or manufacture at home. The administration is presenting these moves as part of a broader effort to stabilise prices without abandoning its tariff-led trade strategy.
Since returning to the office in January, Trump has introduced sweeping tariffs on a wide range of trading partners, prompting warnings from economists about potential inflationary effects. While overall consumer inflation has not surged sharply, policymakers acknowledge that higher levies have pushed up prices for certain goods and may continue to filter through the economy.
Top economic advisor Kevin Hassett said the administration is aware of the affordability concerns that have taken centre stage in recent elections, where Democrats won key races in New York City, New Jersey, and Virginia by focusing on household expenses.
Hassett said the loss of purchasing power seen in recent years is a challenge the administration intends to address, adding that Washington is determined to fix it right away.
With food costs increasingly shaping political attitudes, the tariff relief marks a strategic attempt to reassure voters that the government is responding to their concerns as the debate over the true strength of the US economy intensifies.
