US tariffs on coffee and bananas to ease under new trade deals


Separately, in a joint statement announcing a framework deal with Argentina, the White House focused on expanding access to beef markets overseas.

The two countries “have committed to improved, reciprocal, bilateral market access conditions for trade in beef”, according to the statement.

The soaring price of beef has become a political issue for Trump. Last week, he asked the Justice Department to investigate meat-packing companies over their possible role in driving up beef prices, after other recent proposals to lower prices sparked backlash among ranchers.

The four agreements with Latin American trading partners are expected to be signed within the next two weeks, senior administration officials said.

The deals stem from Trump’s announcement in April of sweeping new tariffs on dozens of countries. Most were put on hold amid the resulting global financial panic.

Nations considered the “worst offenders” would face higher rates, as payback for what the Trump administration has called unfair trade policies. New tariff rates for dozens of countries were subsequently introduced in August, after delays to allow for trade talks.

The Trump administration has in recent weeks reached trade agreements with the European Union, South Korea, Japan, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia.


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