US govt said to be preparing tariff exemptions in bid to lower food prices

Move comes after Democrats won recent elections with focus on cost of living

- Ana Swanson, Maggie Haberman and Tyler Pager

Volunteers at a food bank in Colorado on Oct 31. Food prices have risen significantly in 2025. If the proposal for certain tariff exemptions goes forward, it would be the latest rollback of one of President Donald Trump's key policies.

(PHOTO: REUTERS)

The Trump administration is preparing broad exemptions to certain tariffs in an effort to ease elevated food prices that have provoked anxiety for American consumers, according to three people briefed on the actions.

The change would apply to certain reciprocal tariffs US President Donald Trump announced in April, including on products coming from countries that have not struck trade deals with the administration, the people said, discussing a pending announcement on the condition of anonymity.

The exemptions are expected to include beef and citrus products, although the people cautioned that Mr Trump has not made a final decision.

The issue of foreign countries increasing beef imports has been a source of contention among US ranchers, who say it runs counter to Mr Trump’s philosophy of boosting domestic production.

If the proposal goes forward, it would be the latest rollback of one of the President’s key economic policies over growing concerns about affordability, even as Mr Trump has insisted — wrongly — that prices are down.

Last week, Democrats won elections around the country in large part by harnessing worries about the cost of living.

The plan likely to take effect goes beyond the exemptions that Mr Trump proposed in September in an executive order, which would have been confined to products that are not primarily made or grown in the US, and which are purchased from countries with which the Trump administration has struck trade deals.