News / Tariffs on key food imports cancelled as White House softens on reciprocal trade

The White House has eased parts of its sweeping reciprocal tariff regime, issuing a new executive order that removes a wide range of agricultural foods from upcoming import duties.

The shift comes as the administration faces criticism that broad tariffs could further fuel already-high food inflation in the US.

The latest revision, on Friday, reflects what officials describe as new information about domestic supply constraints, consumer demand, and the state of negotiations with trading partners.

As a result, the administration has decided that many major foodstuffs should be excluded from the reciprocal tariffs, arguing that applying duties to such widely consumed items could disrupt supply and risk pushing grocery prices higher.

The excluded products cover a broad range of everyday foods, including beef, tomatoes, nuts (such as cashews and Brazils), tropical fruits (like bananas, pineapples and mangoes), coffee, tea, spices, cocoa and cocoa products, and various preserved fruits and juices. All will now be exempt from the additional duties planned under the national-emergency tariff structure.

The change is implemented through amendments to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, applying to any affected goods entered for consumption – or withdrawn from a warehouse – from 12.01 am EST on 13 November.

Customs & Border Protection has been instructed to issue refunds where duties were already collected on newly exempt items.

Despite the exemptions, the White House maintains that the emergency declared in April remains in effect, and warns that tariffs could be tightened again if partners fail to cooperate. But the step-back on food indicates a more cautious strategy: maintaining leverage in negotiations while avoiding political backlash from rising grocery bills.

For importers and logistics providers, the shifting annexes add another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile trade landscape, with further changes likely as the administration balances trade pressure against domestic economic realities.