Trump is forced to "lighten the burden" on the public by signing an executive order to indirectly lower tariffs on goods such as beef and coffee

Under pressure from voters due to rising prices, the Trump administration had to adjust its trade policy.

According to CCTV News, on Friday, November 14, local time, the White House announced the latest executive order signed by President Trump, further adjusting the scope of "reciprocal tariffs" by excluding certain agricultural products from the additional tariffs imposed under the "Reciprocal Tariff Executive Order."

The aforementioned exemption measures will reduce trade tariffs on these commodities. This executive order means that Trump indirectly lowered tariffs on agricultural products such as beef, tomatoes, coffee, and bananas, aiming to reduce the cost of daily goods for the American public.

The White House stated that these products cannot be produced in sufficient quantities domestically to meet demand. The list of exempt products provided by the government includes hundreds of food items, covering coconuts, nuts, avocados, and pineapples. The tariff reductions are retroactive to take effect from 1:00 AM Eastern Time on November 13.

This move comes as the Republican Party faced losses in several state and local elections this month, with opponents emphasizing policies to address the burden on people's livelihoods. It also implicitly acknowledges the price pressure that Trump's tariff policy has placed on American consumers. CPI data shows that in September, the price of coffee paid by American consumers rose nearly 20% compared to the same period last year.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin indicated earlier this week when previewing this executive order that these measures target "goods that we do not grow in the U.S." U.S. Trade Representative Lighthizer stated on Friday that this aligns with Trump's broader strategy of creating tariff exemptions for key goods and industries.

Scope of Exemptions and Effective Details

The executive order signed by Trump excludes these products from the "reciprocal tariff" rates, which start at a tariff rate of 10% and can go up to 50%. However, the order does not completely exempt these products from tariffs.

For example, tomatoes from Mexico, a major supplier to the U.S., will still be subject to a 17% tariff. This rate took effect in July after a nearly 30-year trade agreement expired, and tomato prices almost immediately rose after the tariff was implemented.

The exemption list also includes cocoa and frozen orange juice, as well as some nuts and tropical fruits. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. has been importing more tropical products that cannot be grown domestically, expanding the country's agricultural trade deficit. This year, imports of such products are expected to reach $39.4 billion, accounting for 18% of total U.S. agricultural trade imports, with coffee alone making up one-third of that value.

According to CCTV, Trump's executive order on Friday noted that based on assessments of domestic demand and production capacity for related products, as well as the latest recommendations from government agencies, Trump deemed it necessary to modify the tariff list to respond to the "national emergency" declared in the "Reciprocal Tariff Executive Order." The updated tariff exemption list and potential adjustments to "allied partners" will take effect at 1:01 AM Eastern Time on November 13, 2025. The executive order also requires modifications to the "U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule" and the processing of potential tariff refunds as required.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will process refund requests according to rules and procedures.

Price Pressure on Beef and Coffee

Before the beef tariff exemption was introduced, Trump had stated that the U.S. would increase purchases from Argentina, which sparked strong opposition from ranchers and Republican lawmakers in agricultural states. As the domestic cattle herd size shrinks, consumer prices have soared to historic highs But demand remains strong, making the United States increasingly reliant on foreign imports to fill the gap.

Coffee prices have also surged significantly. After the United States imposed tariffs on Brazil, trade between the two countries came to a standstill, and the futures market recently hit new highs. According to data from the Brazilian industry organization Cecafé, U.S. purchases of Brazilian coffee beans fell by more than 50% from August to October during the tariff period. Domestic coffee production in the United States is negligible, and a few American growers have expressed concerns that high prices may dampen demand for their products.

Supporting Trade Agreement Framework

On Thursday, the Trump administration announced a framework agreement with several Latin American countries, including Argentina, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Ecuador, aimed at helping to lower the costs of many goods not produced in large quantities in the United States. Once these agreements are finalized, tariffs on certain foods and other items imported from these countries will be eliminated. U.S. officials are looking to sign more agreements before the end of the year.

Trump has disrupted the global trading system by imposing a 10% baseline tariff on imports from every country, plus additional specific tariffs that vary by country.

Political Response and Controversy

A White House official revealed to the media on Friday that Trump is fulfilling his commitment to negotiate trade agreements and adjust tariffs as needed. Trump and senior U.S. officials have rebutted criticisms that their trade policies are increasing the cost of living, but they acknowledge that more needs to be done to lower the high prices that have frustrated voters for years.

Richard Neal, the Democratic chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, stated that the Trump administration is "putting out the fire they started" and claiming it as progress. Neal said in a statement: "The Trump administration has finally publicly acknowledged what we have known all along: Trump's trade war is driving up the cost of living for the public. Since these tariffs were implemented, inflation has risen, and manufacturing has contracted for several months."

Economists say consumers remain frustrated by high grocery prices, which are partly driven by import tariffs, and prices may rise further next year as businesses begin to pass on the full impact of import tariffs