Trump Signs Order to Lower Tariffs on Beef, Coffee and Other Goods

President Donald Trump on Friday signed an order lowering U.S. tariffs on a range of agricultural imports — including beef, bananas, coffee and tomatoes — as his administration faces growing pressure from voters struggling with rising living costs.

The items are now exempt from the “reciprocal” tariffs Trump imposed earlier this year to counter what he called unfair trade practices. Officials said the decision took into account the United States’ limited ability to produce certain goods domestically. Other tariffs, however, remain in place.

According to the order published by the White House, the exemptions are retroactive to November 13.

The move comes as the administration intensifies efforts to persuade Americans that the economy remains strong, even as affordability concerns dominated this month’s elections for mayor of New York City and governors of New Jersey and Virginia — all races Democrats swept after focusing heavily on the cost of living.

Friday’s exemption list also includes other produce such as avocados, coconuts and pineapples.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has introduced broad tariffs on multiple trading partners, prompting warnings from economists that the measures could fuel inflation and slow economic growth. While overall consumer inflation has not surged, officials acknowledge that tariffs have driven up prices for specific goods, with those effects expected to continue spreading through the economy.

Beef prices have climbed this year as well, partly due to tighter cattle supplies.

The administration has openly recognized Americans’ affordability concerns. “That’s something that we’re going to fix, and we’re going to fix it right away,” said Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, earlier this week.