Arkansas Lt. Governor Leslie Rutledge discusses President Donald Trump’s commerce conflict with China on ‘Mornings with Maria.’
FIRST ON FOX: Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Don Bacon, R-Neb., are urging President Donald Trump to exempt espresso from reciprocal tariff measures which might be “drastically growing its value.”
Espresso costs have been up 20.9% from a yr in the past in August, based on the newest version of the buyer value index (CPI) launched by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In a letter to Trump on Wednesday, Khanna and Bacon requested Trump to take away espresso from his reciprocal tariffs with the intention to deliver costs down for the two out of three People who drink espresso each day, based on the Nationwide Espresso Affiliation.
“We respectfully request your administration exempt espresso from reciprocal tariff measures which might be drastically growing its value,” Khanna and Bacon stated, based on the letter obtained by Fox Information Digital. “The administration can do that by including espresso (each inexperienced beans, in addition to roasted and floor merchandise) to Annex II of Government Order 14257. Provided that our nation consumes round 400 million cups per day, this motion is one modest however significant method to assist the American folks.”
Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs included an inventory of exempt items, however espresso is not on the checklist. As Trump’s common reciprocal tariffs search to stage the enjoying discipline for worldwide commerce, the congressmen stated espresso doesn’t have “a viable large-scale home various.”
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President Donald Trump indicators government orders imposing 25% tariffs on imported metal and aluminum, in his ongoing effort to overtake the U.S. buying and selling relationship with the remainder of the world. (iStock; Jabin Botsford/The Washington Submit through / Getty Pictures)
“Although Hawaii and Puerto Rico develop small portions of specialty espresso, home manufacturing accounts for lower than 1 p.c of all of the espresso consumed by People. Tariffs on espresso don’t shield home companies and pursuits—they solely elevate prices and quantity to a further tax on American customers. It isn’t sensible to tariff a product that our nation doesn’t meaningfully produce,” the bipartisan congressmen stated of their letter to Trump.
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In keeping with the Nationwide Espresso Affiliation, 99% of espresso is imported from outdoors the U.S.
“I am all the time with a espresso mug, so it is a private challenge for me, and we’re hoping that the president acknowledges this as a part of his exemption,” Khanna informed Fox Information Digital in an unique interview.
Khanna, who represents California’s Silicon Valley within the U.S. Home of Representatives, stated his constituents inform him they’re involved about tariffs impacting the economic system.
Donald Trump leaves after talking at a marketing campaign rally on the Trump Nationwide Doral Golf Membership on July 9, 2024, in Florida. (Joe Raedle / Getty Pictures)
“I’ve heard from a variety of small enterprise homeowners, espresso retailers truly, and a variety of them are going through actual pressures. Some might exit of enterprise if this espresso tariff stays,” Khanna stated, whereas additionally explaining that hospitality staff are experiencing elevated prices and customers are seeing costs go up.
Khanna stated he hopes the letter sparks a “broader dialog about repealing the tariffs on meals merchandise, and significantly meals merchandise that we mainly do not develop in america.”
Greater than half of People drink espresso each day, together with Khanna’s Republican colleague, Bacon, who’s retiring from representing Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District within the U.S. Home of Representatives subsequent yr.
Khanna and Bacon traveled to Mexico earlier this yr for a gathering with President Claudia Sheinbaum, which was geared toward creating a extra “constructive strategy” to Trump’s tariffs.
The bipartisan duo additionally teamed up final month to introduce the “No Espresso Tax Act,” looking for to repeal the Trump administration’s tariffs on espresso.
“There is no such thing as a American various to espresso,” Bacon informed Fox Information Digital. “Why tariff one thing we will not develop? All you’re doing is punishing People.”
President Donald Trump speaks throughout a “Make America Rich Once more” commerce announcement occasion on the White Home on April 2, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Pictures)
Bacon, considered one of few Home Republicans who has been prepared to push again towards the Trump administration’s second time period, launched laws to return tariff management to Congress earlier this yr.
“I’ve all the time been trustworthy. I attempt to be tactful, however I’ve all the time pushed again the place I believed there was a giant concern,” Bacon stated. “I need to do what’s proper, regardless of what anyone thinks.”
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The retiring congressman stated his constituents are feeling the influence of Trump’s tariffs on the economic system, significantly soybean farmers who’ve been unable to promote their items.
“I really feel a bit freer to do it since I introduced, however I do not know that I might have completed it any in a different way,” Bacon stated, explaining that pushing again on Trump’s tariffs is considered one of his high priorities as he closes out his last time period.
When reached for remark, White Home spokesman Kush Desai informed Fox Information Digital, “Ro Khanna doesn’t know what he’s speaking about. The President has included espresso in a latest government order breaking down items which might be eligible for tariff-free therapy as a part of commerce offers. Espresso costs globally are additionally close to historic highs due to provide woes in coffee-growing areas of the world, not tariffs.”
