WASHINGTON, Nov 21, 2025: U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order lifting a 40 percent tariff on Brazilian beef, coffee, cocoa and certain fruit imports, a move aimed at easing pressure on food prices as consumer costs remain elevated. The measure takes effect immediately for goods entering U.S. markets from November 13, 2025, and includes provisions allowing importers to apply for retroactive refunds of tariffs paid since that date. The order reverses a tariff policy introduced earlier this year that had imposed a 40 percent surcharge on top of an existing 10 percent duty, resulting in combined rates of up to 50 percent on some Brazilian agricultural products.
The tariffs were originally implemented as part of a broader trade enforcement initiative targeting several major exporters, including Brazil, following disagreements over agricultural subsidies and market access. Brazil is one of the world’s largest suppliers of beef and coffee, accounting for roughly one-third of U.S. coffee imports and a rapidly growing share of its beef imports. The additional tariffs had contributed to higher retail prices in the United States, particularly in the coffee and meat sectors, where consumer prices climbed as much as 40 percent this year. The tariff removal is expected to lower import costs for U.S. distributors and retailers, improving supply availability in the months ahead. In an official statement, the White House said the decision reflects an effort to “support stable food prices for American households” as part of a broader review of agricultural trade measures.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick described the rollback as a “market adjustment designed to improve affordability” without compromising U.S. trade enforcement standards. The Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative are coordinating implementation to ensure a smooth transition for importers. In Brazil, industry groups and government officials welcomed the announcement, calling it a constructive outcome following months of negotiation. The Brazilian Beef Exporters Association said the removal of the 40 percent tariff would help restore normal trade flows between the two countries, which had declined significantly after the duties were imposed. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration described the development as “a sign of confidence and cooperation” in bilateral relations.
White House order reverses earlier trade enforcement measure
The tariff reduction comes amid sustained increases in U.S. food costs driven by weather-related disruptions, global supply chain issues, and higher transportation expenses. The removal of duties on Brazilian coffee and beef is expected to ease some of those pressures, although analysts note that global commodity prices remain volatile due to fluctuating crop yields and logistics constraints. The U.S. Department of Commerce has indicated that monitoring mechanisms will remain in place to assess the effects of the policy change on domestic producers. According to trade data, the United States imported nearly $4.5 billion worth of agricultural goods from Brazil in 2024, including beef, coffee, sugar, and soy-based products. Beef imports from Brazil had declined by more than 25 percent after the tariffs were introduced, while coffee shipments dropped sharply amid reduced purchase orders from U.S. roasters.
U.S. coffee and beef prices expected to stabilize
The removal of the duties follows months of supply shortages and sharp price increases that hit U.S. consumers after the tariffs were imposed earlier this year. The additional levies disrupted imports of Brazilian coffee and beef, leading to reduced availability in retail markets and contributing to higher grocery costs nationwide. With the tariffs now lifted, import volumes are expected to recover gradually, improving supplies across supermarkets and food distributors during the holiday season. The rollback represents one of the administration’s most visible reversals of a trade policy that had proven costly for both importers and households. Officials said the decision followed an interagency review and consultations with the Brazilian government. No further adjustments to existing tariff measures were announced. – By Content Syndication Services.