Politics

Trump’s Tariff Twist: Will Cutting Duties on Coffee Really Lower Prices for American Consumers?

Trump suggests cutting tariffs on coffee to lower prices, contradicting his prior stance.

November 13, 2025, 11:17 AM

Map outline of the USA with the American flag design, placed on a pile of roasted coffee beans.

A stylized US map featuring the flag placed on a large pile of dark roasted coffee beans. By superbeststock / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

Donald Trump indicated a potential shift in his tariff stance, suggesting that cutting duties on imported goods like coffee could lead to lower prices for American consumers.

This recent remark contradicts Trump’s previous long-held assertion that foreign nations or corporations, rather than American consumers, absorb the cost of tariffs.

Economists and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirm that tariffs are taxes that increase prices for consumers, with the administration expecting price reductions from upcoming tariff cuts on certain imported goods.

The Story So Far

Trump’s recent suggestion that cutting tariffs could lower consumer prices marks a potential shift from his long-held public assertion that foreign nations or corporations, not American consumers, bear the cost of tariffs, a position consistently challenged by economists. This apparent change in rhetoric comes as consumer prices for imported goods like coffee have significantly risen, indicating a potential response to economic pressures on American households.

Why This Matters

President Trump’s recent comments indicate a significant shift in his public stance on tariffs, now acknowledging that cutting duties on imported goods like coffee could lead to lower prices for American consumers, a departure from his long-held position that foreign entities bear the cost. This rhetorical evolution, supported by his administration’s hints of forthcoming tariff reductions on specific imported produce, suggests a potential policy pivot aimed at directly easing consumer price burdens, though the actual speed and extent of price relief will be influenced by broader economic factors.

Who Thinks What?

President Donald Trump recently indicated that cutting tariffs on imported goods like coffee could lead to lower prices for American consumers, a shift from his previous assertions that foreign countries or corporations absorb tariff expenses.

Economists, such as Erica York of the Tax Foundation, view President Trump’s recent comment as an acknowledgment that tariffs are taxes that increase prices for consumers, contradicting his long-held public position.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expects that upcoming “substantial announcements” regarding tariff reductions on coffee, bananas, and other produce will quickly bring down prices for consumers.

President Donald Trump recently indicated a potential shift in his long-held stance on who bears the cost of tariffs, suggesting that cutting duties on imported goods like coffee could lead to lower prices for American consumers. This remark was made during an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, where Trump addressed rising coffee costs, a statement that appears to contradict his previous assertions that foreign countries or corporations absorb tariff expenses.

During the interview, Ingraham highlighted high coffee prices, to which Trump responded, “Coffee: We’re going to lower some tariffs, we’re going to have some coffee come in. We’re gonna take care of all this stuff very quickly, very easily.” This comment came as Consumer Price Index figures for September showed coffee prices were approximately 15% higher than in January, the month Trump returned to office.

For years, Trump has consistently maintained that tariffs are paid entirely by foreign nations or are split between foreign countries and U.S. corporations, rather than impacting American consumers. He has often dismissed concerns that tariffs negatively affect prices paid by the public, a position that has been repeatedly challenged by economists and studies.

Erica York, vice president of federal tax policy at the Tax Foundation, noted that Trump’s recent comment essentially served as a self-fact-check. York posted on X, “Evidence that Trump et al. understand tariffs are taxes that increase prices for consumers, they just usually lie about it,” further adding that by suggesting tariff cuts would provide relief, Trump is acknowledging the burden tariffs place on American consumers.

The U.S. government collects tariffs from importers, who frequently pass these increased costs onto consumers. This reality has been confirmed by numerous studies and statements from various U.S. businesses. For example, bananas, another largely imported product, saw an average price increase of about 8% between January and September.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also confirmed the administration’s belief that prices would fall following upcoming “substantial announcements” regarding tariffs on coffee, bananas, and other produce not grown domestically. Bessent stated that these measures “will bring the prices down very quickly.” However, the speed of price reduction remains to be seen, as companies may be reluctant to lower prices quickly, and global factors, alongside overall U.S. inflation, continue to influence commodity costs.

Trump’s Evolving Stance on Tariffs

President Trump’s recent comments signal a potential shift in his public rhetoric regarding the economic impact of tariffs. While his administration has indicated forthcoming actions to reduce tariffs on certain imported goods to ease consumer prices, the long-term effects on inflation and consumer spending remain subject to broader economic factors.