President Donald Trump’s administration has taken a bold step to address soaring food prices, announcing the immediate removal of 10% reciprocal tariffs on a range of foreign agricultural products. The move, unveiled on November 14, 2025, and effective straightaway, is aimed at making grocery store staples more affordable for American families struggling with record-high Thanksgiving costs and persistent food inflation.
The White House’s newly released list of tariff-exempt products covers a broad spectrum of goods, including beef, coffee, tropical fruits, tomatoes, avocados, spices, and certain fertilizers. As reported by Capital Press, the administration’s action comes as Americans brace for what is expected to be the most expensive Thanksgiving on record. According to a Talker Research survey cited by Daily Mail, the average person is projected to spend nearly $1,000 on the holiday—a staggering figure that has prompted two-thirds of respondents to say that gathering with family will be costly, and a third to slash their budgets by about 40%.
During a McDonald’s Impact Summit with franchise owners on November 17, President Trump addressed the mounting concerns about food affordability. “I want you to know that I’m fighting every day to support businesses like yours and the citizens that we all serve,” he told the crowd, according to Daily Mail. Trump, ever the showman, branded this period as the “golden age of America,” tying in the iconic McDonald’s golden arches. “Prices are coming down,” he assured attendees, emphasizing his commitment to making life easier for everyday Americans.
Trump’s optimism, however, faces headwinds from persistent economic realities. Despite some stabilization in food costs over the past year, certain staples have bucked the trend. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a food inflation rate of 0.3% in September 2025, with a 3.1% increase over the previous 12 months. While this marks a significant drop from the 10.1% peak in 2022 under the Biden administration, some items remain stubbornly expensive. Roasted coffee prices have surged 18.9%, ground beef is up 12.9%, and steak has climbed 16.6% in just the past year, according to Capital Press.
In his remarks, Trump highlighted the role of McDonald’s in providing affordable meals. The fast-food giant, recognizing the financial pinch felt by many Americans, has subsidized its Extra Value Meal earlier this year to entice low-income customers back to its restaurants. An administration official told Daily Mail that it is “so important to consumers and elected officials [that] our franchisees and company are co-investing to bring extra value and affordability to our customers.” Trump also recounted his October 2024 campaign stop at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s, where he worked the drive-through and handed out burgers and fries—a gesture he said was met with overwhelming love and enthusiasm.
The president’s push to lower food prices is multifaceted. While the tariff rollback is designed to reduce the cost of imported staples, Trump has also floated a series of additional measures to help Americans cope with inflation. These include a proposal for $2,000 stimulus checks funded by tariff revenue for those earning $100,000 or less, as well as efforts to cut drug prices and investigate potential price-fixing in the meatpacking industry.
Indeed, the meat industry has come under particular scrutiny. Trump announced earlier this month that he had directed the Department of Justice to investigate whether meat-packers are manipulating prices, citing concerns over illicit collusion and price manipulation. “Action must be taken immediately to protect Consumers, combat Illegal Monopolies, and ensure these Corporations are not criminally profiting at the expense of the American People,” Trump wrote in a social media post, as reported by Daily Mail. The Meat Institute, representing packers, has attributed high beef prices to robust consumer demand and a historic shortage of cattle—the U.S. cattle supply has reportedly fallen to its lowest level in 70 years, even as beef imports have increased by 11% so far in 2025, according to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.
Despite the broad tariff rollback, not all foreign products are affected. A separate 40% tariff remains in place on Brazilian agricultural goods, a notable exception given Brazil’s status as the largest coffee exporter to the U.S. last year. Additionally, reciprocal tariffs do not apply to agricultural products covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, ensuring that key trading relationships remain stable.
Trump’s administration has long viewed tariffs as both a bargaining chip in trade negotiations and a tool to protect American farmers. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins explained on social media, “When America negotiates from strength, we can lift tariffs on products that don’t compete with U.S. farmers because we’re finally getting fair deals in return.” She pointed to recent agreements, such as China’s renewed commitment to purchase U.S. soybeans, as evidence that the strategy is bearing fruit.
Yet, the legal authority underpinning Trump’s tariff strategy is currently under review. On November 5, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments about whether the president can impose reciprocal tariffs—an issue that could have significant ramifications for future trade policy. The Court has not yet issued a ruling.
Meanwhile, the political stakes are high. Rising grocery prices have fueled discontent among voters, including some of Trump’s traditional allies. According to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll, a majority of Americans report paying more for groceries and utilities. Republican lawmakers, such as Marjorie Taylor-Greene, have voiced increasing frustration with the administration’s handling of food inflation, warning of potential fallout in the upcoming midterm elections.
Trump, for his part, has tried to reassure both business leaders and the public that relief is on the way. “We’re going to have price reductions and in some cases some pretty good ones,” he said, promising that the effects of the tariff rollback would be felt “on the low side in a very short period of time.”
As Americans prepare for an expensive holiday season, the administration’s actions mark a significant intervention in the ongoing battle against food inflation. Whether these measures will be enough to ease the financial strain on families—and to satisfy a restless electorate—remains to be seen. For now, all eyes are on grocery aisles, restaurant counters, and the Supreme Court, as the nation waits to see if prices will finally start to fall.
