November 14, 2025
Political pressure from election losses forces Trump to retreat on signature tariff policy he insisted wouldn't raise prices
Trump signed an executive order on Nov. 14, 2025 exempting over 200 agricultural products from his reciprocal tariff rates, including coffee, tea, tropical fruits, fruit juices, cocoa, oranges, tomatoes, beef, bananas, avocados, spices and certain fertilizers. The White House said the modifications would take effect on Nov. 13, 2025, making them retroactive by one day. The order excludes these goods from reciprocal tariff rates which start at 10% and go as high as 50%, though it doesn't exempt them entirely from all tariffs.
The rollback came after voters in off-year elections in Nov. 2025 cited economic concerns as their top issue, resulting in big wins for Democrats in Virginia, New Jersey and other key races around the country. Trump has built his second term around imposing steep levies on goods imported into the US in hopes of encouraging domestic production. His abrupt retreat from his signature tariff policy on so many staples key to the American diet is significant given his repeated insistence that tariffs wouldn't raise consumer prices.
Coffee prices reached record highs under Trump's tariffs. Ground roast coffee hit $8.41 per pound in Jul. 2025, a 33% increase from the prior year according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Trump's 50% tariff on Brazilian coffee, which supplies roughly a third of US imports, drove up costs across roasting and retail supply chains. The Sep. Consumer Price Index found coffee prices climbed nearly 21% in Aug. from the prior year, the largest jump since the 1990s. Global coffee prices are hovering near a 50-year high reached in Feb. 2025.
Beef prices spiked after Trump imposed steep duties on major suppliers including Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and Uruguay. Brazil, the world's second-largest beef producer, faced effective tariff rates topping 75%, driving down imports into the US just as the cattle herd hit a near 75-year low. Ranchers struggled to rebuild herds amid drought, higher feed costs, and tariffs on fertilizer, steel and aluminum that made equipment and repairs more expensive. Uncooked beef products rose 12% to 18% year over year in Sep. according to the most recent Consumer Price Index.
Treasury Secretary 
Scott Bessent said earlier in the week the moves targeted goods we don't grow here in the United States, referring to coffee and bananas. While coffee is grown in some parts of the country, it's mostly imported. The Tax Foundation estimated in Aug. that 74% of US food imports faced tariffs, hitting tea, spices and other products that have no domestic supply chain. Many products on the exemption list have little or no US production, meaning tariffs meant to spur domestic production had no effect beyond raising consumer prices.
The Food Industry Association, which represents retailers and producers, applauded Trump's move to provide swift tariff relief, calling it a critical step ensuring continued adequate supply at prices consumers can afford. The group noted import taxes are an important factor in a complex mix of supply chain issues. However, the Distilled Spirits Council president criticized the exclusion of spirits from the European Union and Britain, calling it yet another blow to the US distilling industry.
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Nov. 14 as he flew to Florida: We just did a little bit of a rollback on some foods like coffee. Pressed on whether his tariffs helped increase consumer prices, Trump acknowledged I say they may, in some cases have that effect. But to a large extent they've been borne by other countries, repeating his claim that foreign nations pay tariffs despite economic evidence showing US importers and consumers bear the costs.
The White House also announced framework trade deals on Nov. 14 with Argentina, Guatemala, El Salvador and Ecuador that will eliminate tariffs on certain foods once finalized. For Argentina, the deal removes reciprocal tariffs on certain unavailable natural resources and non-patented articles for pharmaceutical applications. A senior administration official said the White House expects some positive effects for prices on products like coffee, cocoa and bananas, though they couldn't specify when Americans would feel relief.
civic action
Contact House Ways and Means Committee demanding full tariff impact review
The rollback proves tariffs raised consumer prices on products with no US production. Demand comprehensive hearings on all tariff impacts before Trump reimpose them.
Hi, I'm calling to demand comprehensive hearings on tariff impacts after Trump's food tariff rollback.
Key points to investigate:
Questions for hearings:
Specific request: I want comprehensive hearings on all tariff impacts and legislation preventing tariffs on products with no domestic supply chain.
Thank you for your time.
civic action
File complaint with Federal Trade Commission on tariff price manipulation
Trump's acknowledgment that tariffs raised prices contradicts his campaign claims. FTC should investigate whether statements about foreign countries paying constitute consumer deception.
I'm filing a consumer protection complaint regarding tariff policy representations.
Key points:
Deceptive practice: Representing tariffs as paid by foreign countries while imposing costs on American consumers constitutes potential consumer deception.
Specific request: Investigate whether Trump administration tariff representations violate FTC consumer protection standards and require corrective disclosures.
Thank you for protecting consumers from misleading economic policy claims.
