Trump lifts tariffs on over 200 food products

US President Donald Trump has lifted tariffs on more than 200 food products, including staples such as coffee, beef, bananas and orange juice, amid growing concerns among US consumers about high prices. Reuters reported.

The new exemptions, which took effect at midnight on Thursday, mark a sharp reversal in Trump’s policy, which has long insisted that the steep import tariffs he imposed earlier this year do not contribute to inflation. Asked about the tariffs on Friday evening, the US leader said that “in some cases” they could increase prices, while saying that overall the US has “virtually no inflation”.

The exemptions include products that Americans regularly buy for home consumption, many of which have seen double-digit price increases over the year. The list includes more than 200 products, from oranges, acai berries and peppers to cocoa, food additives and fertilizers. In a statement, the White House said the decision was made after “the President has made significant progress in securing a more mutually beneficial trade relationship between our two countries.”

The statement also said Trump had decided to exempt certain products from tariffs because they are not grown or processed in the United States. The decision was also influenced by recent trade and investment agreements between the United States and other countries.

How have prices in the United States changed over the year?

According to the latest data as of September, beef prices rose by almost 13% and steaks by almost 17% compared to the same month last year. This is the largest increase in prices for these products in more than three years.

Although the U.S. is a major beef producer, persistent livestock shortages have kept meat prices high in recent years. Banana prices rose about 7% and tomatoes rose 1%. Overall, spending on food consumed at home was 2.7% higher in September than a year ago.

Tags: Beef cattle, USA, duties, barriers, cocoa