A recent joint appeal from U.S. congressional members, representing both major political parties, highlights a critical issue for the nation's coffee sector: the urgent need to exempt coffee from import duties. This bipartisan initiative underscores the profound reliance of the American coffee market on foreign supplies and the potential adverse effects that new trade levies could impose on consumers and businesses alike. The unified message emphasizes the economic importance of coffee, a beverage deeply ingrained in American daily life, and its broad impact on domestic employment and industry stability.
The chairs of the recently formed United States Congressional Coffee Caucus, Representatives Jill Tokuda (Democrat, Hawaii) and William Timmons (Republican, South Carolina), spearheaded this significant effort. They dispatched a formal communication to Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, advocating for the removal of coffee from existing and prospective tariff regulations. Their primary rationale was to safeguard American employment opportunities and bolster the national coffee industry, which is almost entirely reliant on imported green coffee.
The inherent nature of tariffs as fees levied on imported goods means that any imposition on coffee would directly translate to increased costs for U.S. importers. Given that over 99% of the green coffee consumed in the U.S. originates from international sources, such tariffs would inevitably inflate expenses across the supply chain, from traders to roasters, ultimately burdening the end consumer with elevated prices. This concern is particularly timely, as former President Donald Trump recently indicated plans for a substantial 50% tariff on imports from Brazil, a country supplying roughly a third of the U.S. green coffee market, with implementation slated for early August. Furthermore, anticipated new tariffs are expected to affect coffee shipments from nearly all significant coffee-exporting nations.
The congressional letter articulated a crucial distinction regarding coffee: unlike many other commodities subjected to recent tariffs, coffee is not produced domestically on a scale sufficient to meet national demand. While specialty coffee is cultivated in limited quantities in Hawaii and Puerto Rico, this combined output constitutes less than one percent of total U.S. coffee consumption. This geographical limitation, stemming from coffee's specific tropical and high-elevation growth requirements, means that increasing domestic production is not a feasible alternative to imports.
The representatives stressed that because there is no viable domestic substitute for the vast majority of coffee consumed, tariffs on imported coffee would pose significant challenges to the industry. Coffee is an integral part of daily life for most Americans, with sixty-six percent reportedly consuming it daily, making it the country's most popular beverage. Beyond its cultural significance, the coffee industry is a substantial economic driver, supporting over 2.2 million American jobs, generating more than $100 billion in wages, and contributing an estimated $343 billion annually to the national economy. The call for exemption thus serves as a protective measure for a vital economic pillar.
The letter to Ambassador Greer garnered additional support from a diverse group of congressional members. Signatories included Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat, Oregon), Tim Burchett (Republican, Tennessee), Steve Cohen (Democrat, Tennessee), Maria Salazar (Republican, Florida), Sarah McBride (Democrat, Delaware), Scott Perry (Republican, Pennsylvania), Becca Balint (Democrat, Vermont), Pat Fallon (Republican, Texas), Josh Gottheimer (Democrat, New Jersey), and Ben Cline (Republican, Virginia). This broad, cross-party backing underscores the widespread recognition of coffee's economic significance and the potential negative ramifications of tariffs within the U.S.
The unified appeal from members of Congress underscores the broad consensus on the importance of maintaining an unhindered flow of coffee into the United States. This collective stance highlights the deep integration of coffee into the nation's economic framework and consumer habits, signaling a clear desire to prevent any policy that could disrupt this essential supply chain or increase financial burdens on American households and businesses.