US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order allowing a range of food products, including coffee, bananas, and beef, to escape his sweeping tariffs.
The move comes as his administration faces mounting pressure over rising prices. While Trump previously downplayed concerns about the cost of living, he has focused on the issue since his Republican Party's poor performance in last week's elections.
The dozens of products included on the White House's list of exemptions range from avocados and tomatoes to coconuts and mangoes.
These goods, the Trump administration said on Friday, cannot be produced in sufficient quantities domestically.
Trump has long claimed that his tariffs - currently a baseline 10% on imports from all countries, with additional levies on many trading partners - would not lead to increased prices for US consumers. He argued the taxes were necessary to reduce the US trade deficit, stating that higher levies would promote American goods. However, grocery costs have become a significant political issue.
In response to this pressure, the Trump administration’s newest exemptions show a reversal in policy, aiming to lower food prices by retracting tariffs on vital staples.
Trump stated the decision affects products not produced in the US, asserting "there's no protection of our industries, or our food products". He expressed confidence that no further policy rollbacks would be necessary.
Economists have warned that tariffs generally lead to higher consumer prices, affirming the administration's decision could potentially alleviate some of the financial strain on American households.
The newly announced exemptions, which take effect retroactively at midnight on Thursday, include key items such as cocoa, black tea, various fruits, spices, and nuts.
