Trump signed an executive order Thursday exempting beef, coffee and dozens of other popular food products from a 40 percent tariff he introduced earlier this year. The change is retroactive to Nov. 13. 

The move was intended to cut prices on popular products to help Americans struggling with grocery bills which have increased in the past six months.

The Brazilian government has been working to persuade the U.S. to pull back tariffs on their products, as the trade partner has historically run a trade deficit with the U.S. 

This cut follows statements by the Trump administration that they are trying to lower high beef prices for consumers. It also comes one week after the administration cut a 10 percent reciprocal tariff on beef that favored other importers to the U.S., including Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina. 

Brazil was the No. 1 supplier of U.S. beef imports this year before Trump had imposed the 40 percent tariff. The country accounted for about 23 percent of total shipments, with volumes nearly double compared to the first seven months of last year, according to government data.

Australia has been a surprise beneficiary from U.S. tariffs. Despite the 10 percent tariff, exports to the U.S. have surged – up 47 percent to $3.6 billion for the 12 months leading up to Sept. 2025, compared to $2.44 billion in the prior year. Poor U.S. domestic production and higher tariffs on other major exporters to the U.S., such as Brazil, also played a role in the increase.

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