U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday to do away with tariffs on a broad swath of commodities, including beef, coffee and tropical fruits. It’s a part of a response to pressure from consumers who complain prices are too high.
The move comes after voters in off-year elections earlier this month cited economic concerns as their top issue, leading to big wins for Democrats in races in Virginia and Recent Jersey.
The president signed the manager order after announcing that the U.S. had reached framework agreements with Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador and Argentina designed to ease import levies on agricultural products produced in those countries.
Friday’s executive order amends his April 2 move to impose global “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of nations because of what he declared a national emergency over persistent trade deficits.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the globe, join for breaking news alerts delivered on to you once they occur.
The order says Trump made the determination to “modify the scope of products” subject to the worldwide tariffs after considering aspects including “current domestic demand for certain products, and current domestic capability to supply” those items.
The manager order also removes tariffs on tea, fruit juice, cocoa, spices, bananas, oranges, tomatoes and certain fertilizers. A few of the products covered aren’t produced in the USA.
Trump and his administration have been long insisted that tariffs don’t increase consumer prices, despite economic evidence on the contrary.
Record-high beef prices have been a specific concern, and Trump has said he intended to take motion to attempt to lower them. Trump’s tariffs on Brazil, a significant beef exporter, have been an element.
Trump suggested earlier this week that he’d be lowering tariffs on coffee to assist increase its importation.
The amendments don’t apply to Trump’s separate, fentanyl-related tariff order for Canada, Mexico and China.
Those tariffs, in addition to the worldwide “reciprocal” tariffs, are vulnerable to being struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court, which is anticipated to rule by the top of this yr on a case centred on Trump’s executive authority to impose tariffs under emergency powers.
Trump has said it could be “devastating” for the U.S. economy if the high court rules against him within the case.
—With additional files from Global News
© 2025 The Canadian Press