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“Trump FLIPS on Food Tariffs — Cuts Taxes on Coffee, Beef, and Fruit in Major Reversal”

Politics · By Reprezent Daily · November 15, 2025 

It was supposed to be another standard executive order — but President Donald Trump’s sudden decision to roll back tariffs on more than 100 food items has reignited a fierce national debate. What was once his signature economic strategy is now under fire — and not everyone is buying the political logic.

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🍽️ What Just Happened — In Trump’s Words

On November 14, 2025, Trump signed an executive order suspending “reciprocal” import tariffs on dozens of food products — retroactive to November 13. The list includes staples like coffee, beef, bananas, tomatoes, cocoa, tea, and tropical fruits, among others. Benzinga+2FoodNavigator-USA.com+2

In a statement aboard Air Force One, Trump admitted:

“We just did a little bit of a rollback on some foods like coffee … we don’t make them in this country.” WUSF

He also acknowledged that his earlier tariffs may have pushed up consumer prices, but insisted other countries had “borne” much of the burden. WUSF

The White House explained that new trade frameworks with Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala, and El Salvador support this rollback, because those countries export many of the affected goods. Reuters+1

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👥 Who This Affects — Winners & Losers

Winners:

• American Consumers: With price hikes on everyday items like coffee and beef, many households may finally feel some relief. Daily Caller+1

• Importers & Retailers: Companies that rely on these imported goods or use them in their supply chains benefit immediately. The Irish Times

• Exporting Countries: Places like Argentina and Ecuador cheer the move. Their banana, coffee, and beef industries now have better access to the U.S. market. Reuters

Losers / Potential Risks:

• Domestic Producers: Some U.S.-based producers may lose protection or competitive edge for goods where production is possible but limited.

• Unexcluded Products: Not every import got a free pass — some goods remain tariffed, and the exemptions only apply to specific categories. Yahoo Finance

• Fiscal & Policy Risk: This rollback might undermine Trump’s broader “tariffs = leverage” policy. Critics could argue it's a political retreat rather than a principled pivot.

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✅ Pros of the Move

1. Immediate Consumer Relief: Cutting tariffs on everyday staples could help lower grocery bills — a big win for voters feeling the squeeze. KPBS Public Media+1

2. Strategic Diplomacy: By tying tariff relief to new trade frameworks, Trump signals a more flexible, deal-driven approach to trade. Politico+1

3. Political Calculus: With rising inflation and consumer frustration, this shift may be aimed at shoring up support ahead of critical election cycles. KPBS Public Media

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❗ Cons and Risks

• Policy Credibility: This reversal could be seen as a flip-flop, undermining Trump’s earlier justification for tariffs (protecting U.S. industry).

• Long-Term Inflation: Tariff relief might not immediately erase past price increases; inflationary effects could linger.

• Global Reactions & Retaliation: While some countries welcome the change, others may view it skeptically. For example, more aggressive tariffs remain on other goods, suggesting tension may persist. The International Trade Council+1

• Budget Uncertainty: Tariff revenues have been a major source of funds; cutting backlog could reduce future income.

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🧠 Why Trump Did It — The Calculus Behind the Change

• Political Pressure: Voter anger over rising grocery prices played a major role. In recent elections, affordability emerged as a top issue. WUSF+1

• Trade Negotiations: Trump is using new trade agreements to justify exemptions, arguing some tariffs are no longer necessary given reciprocal deals. Reuters

• Strategic Messaging: He frames this not as a capitulation, but as smart, targeted economic management — balancing protectionism with relief where it hurts most.

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🌐 How the World Is Reacting

• Latin America: Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala, and El Salvador have publicly praised the move, framing it as a win for trade and for their exporters. Reuters

• Australia: Canberra welcomed the rollback, especially on beef, citing the benefits for its agricultural exports. The Guardian

• Wider Trade Community: Economists note that unpredictable tariff swings hurt confidence. Some see this as a step back toward more stable, reciprocal trading relationships. The Irish Times

• 📈 Impact on
  the Stock Market & Major Companies

  Trump’s rollback of tariffs on key food imports is already making waves on Wall Street. Companies like J.M. Smucker, which owns Folgers and Dunkin’ coffee brands, saw significant relief as their green coffee input costs drop — something that had hammered their margins after steep import duties. Axios+1 Meanwhile, Starbucks is expected to benefit as well: with lower tariff-related costs, it may have more flexibility on pricing and supply. MarketWatch On the meat side, firms like Hormel Foods, which had been squeezed by high beef prices, could see improved profitability now that some beef tariffs are being lifted. MarketWatch Finally, import-dependent food brands such as PepsiCo, Conagra, and J.M. Smucker had previously lobbied for tariff exemptions on key raw ingredients like coffee and tropical fruit. Reuters This move could boost their long-term cost structure and earnings potential — but investors are watching closely to see how much of the benefit actually flows through to profitability versus being passed to consumers.

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⚖️ The Bottom Line: Is This a Smart Shift or Political Retribution?

This isn’t a simple rollback — it’s a tactical pivot. Trump appears to be trading some of his broadest import levies for political capital and lower consumer prices. But the question remains: Is this a genuine rethinking of trade policy or a defensive move ahead of economic pain at the polls?

One thing is clear: by dialing back on food tariffs, Trump may have bought some breathing room for American households — but he’s also risking his core narrative on trade. The bigger gamble is whether this shift will hold or be reversed again based on political winds.