U.S. Reduces Tariffs on Key Imports to Ease Price Pressures

The WHITE House unveiled new trade agreements with Argentina, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Ecuador, targeting tariff reductions on essential imports like coffee, chocolate, and bananas. These goods, which the U.S. cannot produce domestically in sufficient quantities, have seen sharp price increases—coffee up 18.9%, bananas 6.9%, and beef 14.7% over the past year, according to the September 2025 Consumer Price Index.

Nearly all coffee consumed in the U.S. is imported, primarily from Brazil, which faced a 50% tariff under the TRUMP administration due to political tensions. Colombia, another major supplier, carries a 10% duty. The new framework aims to alleviate consumer costs, though officials provided no timeline or estimated savings.

Reciprocal duty eliminations on textiles and clothing from Central American nations under DR-CAFTA were also announced. Critics, including Trump allies, blame Biden-era spending for inflationary pressures, while the administration frames these measures as targeted relief.