Journalism of Courage
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Friday that US President Donald Trump is now ready to remove tariffs on certain food products that are not produced in the United States.
Speaking to CNBC in a live interview, Greer said there were “micro-areas” of trade including goods such as coffee, cocoa and bananas where tariffs are unnecessary because the US does not make those products.
He said the move comes after the US concluded trade agreements with four Latin American countries on Thursday.
“Now that we have these deals in hand, it’s time to take off some of these tariffs on products we don’t make here,” Greer told CNBC, according to Reuters.
However, Trump and top officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, have in recent days previewed broader tariff exemptions that could cut levies on popular foods.
“Coffee, we’re going to lower some tariffs,” Trump told Fox News host Laura Ingraham in a recent interview.
President Trump is considering a tariff “dividend” for Americans, acknowledging that consumers are currently paying for his tariffs.
The US Supreme Court is reviewing Trump’s authority to impose these tariffs, with several justices expressing skepticism. If the court rules against Trump, the administration will likely explore alternative methods to advance its trade agenda
