US Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Exempt Coffee From Tariffs – CoffeeTalk

US Representatives Don Bacon and Ro Khanna will introduce bipartisan legislation to exempt coffee products from tariffs, according to spokespeople for the lawmakers. Brazil used to supply a third of all the coffee used in the U.S., but shipments dried up since a 50% tariff was imposed on Brazilian imports at the end of July. The bill aims to address the issue of higher coffee prices, which are already up 21%, and tariffing a product that cannot be grown at a large commercial scale only worsens the situation.

Roasted coffee prices at grocery stores in the U.S. rose 20.9% in August from a year ago, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Bacon, one of the few Republican voices in Congress who has taken positions independent of President Donald Trump, added that he looks forward to working with Rep. Khanna to introduce this bipartisan bill and believe it can help spark the broader debate about Congress reclaiming its constitutional role in tariff policy.

Prices for arabica coffee, the mild variety mostly used by coffee chains such as Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts, have jumped around 50% at the Intercontinental Exchange in New York since the Trump administration imposed its tariff on Brazilian imports, including green coffee. The bill seeks to exempt coffee from any tariffs imposed after Jan. 19, 2025, including roasted and decaffeinated coffee, as well as coffee husks, skins, and coffee substitutes containing coffee in any proportion.

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