Overview

• The administration implemented a 10 percent baseline duty on most coffee imports in April and slapped a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian beans on August 6.
• Industry groups including the National Coffee Association and Specialty Coffee Association warn that the steep levies threaten supply-chain sustainability and transparency.
• Some cafés have already tacked on $0.50 to $1 per cup, and wholesale bag prices are expected to climb as costs ripple through the market.
• Importers and roasters are rerouting shipments toward tariff-exempt origins and increasing purchases of Robusta beans to mitigate price shocks.
• Legal challenges and potential WTO disputes are emerging as traders and associations contest the administration’s authority to impose the new duties.