Trump Cancels Tariffs on Agricultural Imports: Beef, Coffee, Tea, Tropical Fruits, and More Exempted

Trump cancels tariffs on key agricultural imports, exempting products like beef, coffee, tea, tropical fruits, fruit juices, cocoa, spices, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, and certain fertilizers from reciprocal duties. Announced via executive order on November 14, 2025, the move aims to ease consumer price pressures amid inflation concerns, effective retroactively from November 13.

The Executive Order: Exempting Non-U.S. Agricultural Products

President Donald Trump signed an executive order modifying reciprocal tariffs, removing duties on over 200 food items not produced domestically. The White House fact sheet stated: “Certain qualifying agricultural products will no longer be subject to those tariffs,” citing progress in trade negotiations with Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Argentina to boost U.S. exports while easing barriers on their agricultural goods.

(Sources: newsletter)

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent previewed the action in a Fox News interview, noting exemptions for coffee and bananas—staples unavailable in the U.S. The order follows framework agreements to increase American sales of industrial and agricultural products abroad.

• Exempted Items: Coffee, tea, tropical fruits/juices, cocoa, spices, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, beef, fertilizers.
• Effective Date: Retroactive to November 13, 2025.
• Rationale: Non-U.S. production; trade deal progress.

Why These Products? Addressing U.S. Import Dependencies

The exemptions target essentials with no domestic supply, where tariffs had minimal impact on production but drove up costs. Coffee prices hover near 50-year highs, cocoa faces shortages, and bananas/oranges rely on imports from Latin America. Beef duties, affecting $1.5 billion in annual imports, were eased amid political backlash on grocery inflation.

The Consumer Brands Association praised the move: “90% of ingredients for America’s favorite brands come from U.S. farms, but products like coffee and cocoa can’t be grown here.” This aligns with Trump’s “America First” policy, spurring exports via reciprocal deals without burdening consumers.

• Import Stats: Coffee $6B annually; bananas $2B; cocoa shortages up 50%.
• Inflation Relief: 7% banana price hike; tomatoes +1%.
• Trade Deals: Frameworks with 4 Latin American nations.

Market and Economic Impact: Stocks Rise, Inflation Eases

The announcement boosted agricultural stocks, with Archer Daniels Midland +2.1% and Bunge +1.8%. Broader indices gained: S&P 500 +0.9%, Nasdaq +1.2%. Economists estimate 0.5-1% inflation relief, potentially swaying Fed’s 50.7% December cut odds upward.

Critics like the Tax Foundation warn of $1,000+ household costs from remaining tariffs, but proponents see it as targeted relief in a $37 trillion debt economy.

2025 Tariff Policy Prediction: 10-20% Universal Rates

Trump tariff policy prediction for 2025: 10-20% universal rates, with 60% on China. Bull catalysts: Export boosts; bear risks: Inflation testing 3% GDP drag.

In summary, Trump’s tariff cancellations on beef, coffee, tea, tropical fruits, and more ease grocery inflation, signaling 2025’s targeted trade strategy for economic relief.