U.S. Coffee Industry Seeks Tariff Relief Amid Rising Concerns

The United States’ National Coffee Association (NCA) has officially requested that coffee imports be excluded from ongoing trade tariffs introduced under former President Donald Trump’s administration.

The NCA argues that coffee should not be subject to the tariffs since it is not produced at a scale sufficient to meet national demand within the U.S. In a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative, the association emphasized coffee’s significant role in the economy—contributing over $340 billion annually and supporting more than 2 million American jobs.

According to NCA President and CEO Bill Murray, the application for exemption has been “well received” by officials, although no final decision has been made. Murray noted that many sectors are also appealing for relief, which may delay outcomes.

The association has warned that current tariffs, particularly on key suppliers like Brazil, Canada, and Mexico, could push up U.S. coffee prices by as much as 50%, affecting both businesses and consumers.

While the U.S. government continues to review the exemption request, stakeholders in the coffee industry remain hopeful that relief will be granted to prevent disruption in the global coffee supply chain.