Admin’s Proposed Food Exemptions for Tariffs Prove What Trump Has Denied All Along – That Tariffs Are Taxes on American Families
Despite his insistence to the contrary, the CPI shows Trump’s tariffs are increasing costs for Americans - a reality his inner circle is finally starting to recognize with the proposed exemptions; Cantwell: “So the administration is admitting that the tariff on coffee and bananas is a tax?”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, members of the Trump Administration previewed a proposal to exempt some food products from the president’s sweeping and unpredictable tariffs, which have contributed to rising grocery costs.
The proposal, which is still subject to change, would exempt some groceries like beef, citrus, bananas, and coffee regardless of whether the exporting country has established a trade deal with the United States.
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement:
“So the administration is admitting that the tariff on coffee and bananas is a tax? These tariffs have been a self-imposed cost on American consumers and manufacturers. The sooner they stop this tariff policy the sooner we will see improved American affordability.”
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases challenging whether President Donald Trump’s sweeping April 2nd ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs are constitutional. However, farmers, small businesses owners, and American consumers who are feeling the pain of Trump’s unconstitutional tariffs now shouldn’t have to wait weeks or months for SCOTUS to announce a decision. Congress could take back the reigns and pass Sen. Cantwell’s bipartisan Trade Review Act to reassert Congress’ constitutional authority and responsibility to set and approve U.S. trade policy.
Earlier this year, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals struck down many of Trump’s tariffs, agreeing with other lower federal courts that ruled Trump exceeded his authority in imposing the tariffs. However, the Trump administration appealed to the Supreme Court, asking the Court to overturn the rulings in two cases, Learning Resources v. Trump and Trump v. V.O.S. Selections.
Immediately following President Trump’s April 2nd ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, Senators Cantwell and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the bipartisan Trade Review Act to reaffirm Congress’ key role in setting and approving U.S. trade policy. The Trade Review Act of 2025, modeled after the War Powers Resolution of 1973, would reestablish limits on the president’s ability to impose unilateral tariffs without the approval of Congress.
The Trade Review Act of 2025 has considerable bipartisan support, including; Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mark Warner (D-VA), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Peter Welch (D-VT), Todd Young (R-IN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). A bipartisan companion bill to Cantwell’s legislation has also been introduced in the House of Representatives.
Last month, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business organization, endorsed Sen. Cantwell’s legislation and the National Taxpayers Union included the Trade Review Act in their Top 10 Bipartisan Bills for Taxpayers “No Brainer” list.
Nine other major organizations representing millions of small, medium, and large businesses have come out in support of Sen. Cantwell’s bill. View all statements of support HERE.
- Consumer Technology Association (CTA)
- Retail Industry Leaders Association
- American Apparel & Footwear Association
- USA Pulses Coalition
- Outdoor Industry Association
- Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA)
- Main Street Alliance
- Washington Council on International Trade
- Washington Distillers Guild
Here’s what others are saying:
- Seattle Times Editorial: Following ‘liberation day’ tariffs, Congress should reassert power over trade
- The Wall Street Journal: Senators Move to Rein In Trump’s Power on Tariffs
- CBS Face the Nation: Sen. Cantwell on bipartisan support for measure to claw back control over trade
- NPR: Sen. Maria Cantwell says there is bipartisan support to rein in Trump's tariffs
Despite Trump’s campaign promises, prices have only gone up under his watch. In September, Sen. Cantwell joined nearly 50 small business owners, some of which were on the verge of going out of business, on the steps of the Supreme Court to push back against Trump’s reckless tariff policies. In April, Sen. Cantwell joined small business owners at the Port of Seattle to sound the alarm on how disastrous these policies are for Washington state businesses and consumers. According to economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, tariffs are already causing significant price hikes in durable goods like vehicles, electronics, and furniture.
In Washington state, two out of every five jobs are tied to trade and trade-related industries. Moreover, according to the U.S. Trade Representative, nationally, jobs supported by the export of goods pay up to an estimated 18 percent above the national average. More information about how those tariffs will affect consumers and businesses in the State of Washington can be found HERE.
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