“Buy American” Is Not A Tariff Solution Applicable To Coffee, Says New York Roaster – CoffeeTalk

Scott Gilbert, Co-Owner of Tug Hill Artisan Roasters in Lowville, New York, is frustrated by the impact of President Trump’s tariffs on coffee production. Currently, all coffee falls under the 10% blanket tariffs imposed in April, but a pause for higher tariffs is in effect, but they could rise for countries like Indonesia and Vietnam. This means Gilbert is paying an additional 50 to 60 cents per pound on coffee beans. The US is an interconnected economy, and coffee is the main attraction at his store. A common response to the tariffs is “buy American,” but coffee production in the US is limited to Hawaii and Puerto Rico, which only make up a small fraction of the global market and have a fraction of the flavor profile. Gilbert believes that even if all of Hawaii and Puerto Rico were dedicated to coffee production, they wouldn’t get the variety and high-end stuff they need. A small price jump won’t break the bank, but given the lack of domestically produced coffee, it has left Gilbert scratching his head.

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