Bacon, Khanna Call on President Trump to Remove the Tariffs on Coffee

Washington, DC — Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02) and Ro Khanna (CA-17), sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging his administration to exempt coffee from reciprocal tariff measures that are driving up costs for American consumers. Reps. Khanna and Bacon also recently introduced the bipartisan “No Coffee Tax Act” to repeal the tariffs on coffee. 

“Families across America are feeling the cost of higher coffee prices, which are already up 21 percent, and tariffing a product we can't grow at a large, commercial scale, only makes it worse. Tariffs are a tax on American consumers, raising the price of everyday goods without creating jobs or bringing production on-shore. Article One of the Constitution makes clear that Congress has the authority to set tariffs, and Congress needs to reclaim its authorities,” said Rep. Bacon.

“The tariffs are hurting coffee drinkers and small business owners across the country. We only produce 1% of the coffee that Americans consume. Tariffs on coffee make no economic sense. I hope the administration will do the right thing and provide relief to the millions who consume coffee every day and the businesses that serve our communities,” said Rep. Khanna. 

Full text of the letter below: 

Dear President Trump: 

Two out of three Americans enjoy a cup of coffee every day. But recent tariff measures have forced them to pay 26 percent more for their morning cup of coffee. We respectfully request you exempt coffee from reciprocal tariff measures that are drastically increasing its price. 

Coffee does not have a viable large-scale domestic alternative. Though Hawai‘i and Puerto Rico grow small quantities of specialty coffee, domestic production accounts for less than 1 percent of all the coffee consumed by Americans. Tariffs on coffee do not protect domestic businesses and interests—they only raise costs and amount to an additional tax on American consumers. It is not practical to tariff a product that our nation does not meaningfully produce. 

In light of these facts, we respectfully request your administration exempt coffee from reciprocal tariff measures that are drastically increasing its price. The administration can do this by adding coffee (both green beans, as well as roasted and ground products) to Annex II of Executive Order 14257. Given that our nation consumes around 400 million cups per day, this action is one modest but meaningful way to help the American people.

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