Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Trump Reduces Tariffs on Select Agricultural Imports Amidst Economic Concerns
Imagine the US government put extra taxes on some foods coming into the country.
Some of these taxes were quite high, making things like coffee and bananas more expensive for people.
Recently, the President decided to lower these extra taxes on some of these foods.
This means that things like coffee, which was hit with a big tax, will become cheaper for people buying it.
Tomatoes from Mexico will still have a tax, but it's not as high as it was before.
The government is doing this because people are worried about the economy and the prices of food.
They also mentioned that some of these foods, like coffee, are not grown much in the US, so it makes sense to not tax them as heavily.
This is like giving a little break to shoppers and to companies that bring these foods into the country.
There's also a new agreement with Switzerland to lower taxes on goods between the two countries.
President Trump signed an order retroactively lowering tariffs on agricultural imports like beef, tomatoes, coffee, and bananas.
The change, effective November 20, removes these goods from the reciprocal tariff system which ranged from 10% to 50%.
Despite the reduction, some goods like tomatoes from Mexico will still face a 17% tariff.
The move addresses increased consumer prices on affected goods, partly driven by previous U.S. tariff policies.
A new trade framework with Switzerland also lowers tariffs between the two countries.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, US importers, American consumers, Mexican tomato suppliers, Brazilian coffee exporters, Swiss government.
- What
- President Trump signed an executive order reducing tariffs on various agricultural imports, including beef, tomatoes, coffee, and bananas, and established a new trade framework with Switzerland to lower tariffs.
- When
- The executive order was signed on Friday, with the changes taking effect from November 20. Coffee prices increased in September. The reciprocal tariff system was in place before this order.
- Where
- United States.
- Why
- To address rising prices on imported goods caused partly by previous tariff policies and limited domestic supply, and in response to voter concerns over the economy.
Limited Impact of Tariff Reductions
Targeted Relief for Consumers and Specific Goods
Tariff Levels on Key Imports
Limited Impact of Tariff Reductions
The reduction does not eliminate tariffs entirely; for instance, tomatoes from Mexico will still face a 17% tariff, a rate that previously caused prices to jump after a trade deal expired.
Targeted Relief for Consumers and Specific Goods
The executive order removes several goods, including coffee and bananas, from the higher reciprocal tariff system, specifically targeting items not widely grown in the US, potentially lowering consumer costs.
Broader Economic Context
Limited Impact of Tariff Reductions
The move comes as voters express frustration over the economy, with economic concerns influencing recent election outcomes.
Targeted Relief for Consumers and Specific Goods
This action is a direct response to rising prices on many goods affected by previous tariff policies, aiming to alleviate consumer burdens on essential imported items.
- Date of Executive Order
- Friday (date not specified, but after November 20)
- Effective Date of Change
- November 20
- Tariff System Removed From
- Reciprocal tariff system (10% to 50% rates)
- Examples of Reduced Tariff Goods
- Beef, tomatoes, coffee, bananas
- Continued Tariff on Tomatoes
- 17% (from Mexico)
- Tariff on Coffee
- Reduced from 50% (previously imposed in August)
- Impact on Coffee Prices
- American consumers paid nearly 20% more for coffee in September compared to the previous year.
- New Trade Framework with Switzerland
- Lowering tariffs to 15% from 39%
Sources
Brazil VP: 40% Tariffs to Stay on Coffee, Beef, Tropical Fruit
India-US trade deal awaits Trump’s call; USISPF President says negotiations ‘moved on quite well’
RBI rolls out relief measures for tariff-affected exporters: How they could get relief
Trump tariff rollback boosts Indian tea exports but offers limited gains to wider trade basket - Telegraph India
US slashes tariffs on Indian spices and tea, skips rice and seafood in relief list
India US trade deal in final stage; tariffs to be cut, New Delhi to import soyabean, corn
India May Gain Slight Edge As US Exempts Several Agri Products From Reciprocal Tariffs: GTRI Report
Indian tea, coffee, spice exporters gain as Trump lifts tariffs on over 200 food products
India’s exports of spices, tea and cashew to gain as Trump rolls back tariff hike
Trump tariff rollback offers relief for Indian farmers
Trump tariff rollback offers relief for Indian farmers
US tariff exemptions provide relief to Indian agricultural exporters; boosts tea, coffee shipments
$2.5-3 billion Indian exports to benefit from Trump tariff rollbacks — Here's what items stand to gain, way forward
'Opens Space For Premium Products': Trump Tariff Exemption Boosts Indian Farm Exports
Tariffs take a toll on desi comfort food of Indian diaspora in the US
Agri exports likely to see little boost from US tariff exemptions
