WASHINGTON (LOOTPRESS) – President Donald Trump on Friday announced he is rescinding U.S. tariffs on beef, coffee, tropical fruits and a wide range of other imported goods, marking a significant shift in his second-term trade agenda as the White House faces increasing criticism over persistent inflation and rising grocery costs.
The rollback represents a notable retreat from Trump’s cornerstone economic strategy of imposing widespread tariffs to boost domestic production. The change comes after recent off-year election losses for Republicans, where voters cited the economy and high prices as their top concerns.
“We just did a little bit of a rollback on some foods like coffee,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he traveled to Florida. Asked whether tariffs had contributed to higher consumer prices, he conceded, “I say they may, in some cases.” He added, however, that he believes most of the burden had been borne by foreign exporters.
Despite Trump’s repeated claims that inflation has “vanished” since he took office in January, price pressures remain elevated. Democrats quickly framed the move as evidence that the administration’s tariff strategy has hurt American consumers.
“President Trump is finally admitting what we always knew: his tariffs are raising prices for the American people,” Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said, arguing Republicans’ recent election losses were tied to voter frustration over inflation.
Trump imposed broad tariffs on imports earlier this year, affecting major suppliers of beef, coffee, fruits and other staples. Beef prices in particular have hit record highs, worsened by tariffs on imports from Brazil, a leading beef exporter. Friday’s executive order lifts tariffs on tea, cocoa, spices, fruit juices, bananas, tomatoes, oranges and certain fertilizers—some of which are not produced domestically.
Industry groups welcomed the announcement. The Food Industry Association said reducing tariffs on essential imports was “a critical step” toward keeping supply stable and prices affordable.
The White House said the tariff reductions reflect progress in newly negotiated trade agreements with Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador and Argentina, which aim to expand markets for U.S. industrial and agricultural exports while easing restrictions on agricultural goods from those countries.
Trump hinted earlier in the week that tariff cuts were under consideration, telling Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, “Coffee, we’re going to lower some tariffs.”
Even as he scaled back many tariffs, Trump reiterated his plan to use federal tariff revenue to fund $2,000 payments to many Americans, suggesting the checks could begin in 2026 but offering no firm timeline. He also said the same revenue might be used to pay down the national debt, raising questions about feasibility.
Trump dismissed concerns that such payments could worsen inflation, even while acknowledging that previous rounds of stimulus checks contributed to price increases.
“This is money earned as opposed to money that was made up,” he said. “Everybody but the rich will get this.”
