Overview
- An executive order took effect retroactive to Nov. 13, excluding specified agricultural goods from the administration’s reciprocal tariffs, though other duties can still apply, such as the 17% rate on Mexican tomatoes.
- Framework deals with Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala and El Salvador keep overall reciprocal rates in place (10% for Argentina, Guatemala and El Salvador; 15% for Ecuador) while exempting qualifying goods not produced sufficiently in the U.S.
- The White House listed items including coffee, beef, bananas, tomatoes, tea, cocoa, spices, fruit juices and certain fertilizers, with the agreements slated for finalization and publication in roughly two weeks.
- Relief does not cover Brazil’s separate 50% tariffs on key exports like coffee and beef, leaving those higher levies intact.
- Officials provided no estimate of consumer savings, saying they expect “some” price effects and hope retailers pass through reductions, and they reported progress with Switzerland toward lowering U.S. tariffs to about 15% alongside investment pledges.