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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) criticized President Donald Trump on National Coffee Day, highlighting how his erratic trade policies have contributed to rising coffee prices.
Warren posted on X on Monday, stating, “While Donald Trump sends out his National Coffee Day greetings, his “chaotic tariff” policies have caused coffee prices to rise by “over 20%.”
National Coffee Day, celebrated on September 29, honors coffee culture, with various brands and cafes offering numerous deals and promotions for coffee lovers.
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Warren’s remarks come as Brazil and Colombia, two major coffee suppliers accounting for 80% of U.S. imports, are facing steep tariffs that analysts warn are starting to affect prices for American consumers. Coffee from Colombia is currently subject to a 10% tariff, while Brazilian coffee incurs a significant 50% duty.
In July, Trump implemented a 50% tariff on Brazilian products, accusing the country of “insidious attacks on Free Elections” and denouncing the trial of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro as “a Witch Hunt that must cease IMMEDIATELY.”
Trump added that Brazil’s trade actions have led to “unmanageable Trade Deficits with the U.S.,” despite U.S. Trade Representative data showing a trade surplus with Brazil.
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Economist Justin Wolfers from the University of Michigan criticized the coffee tariffs, stating they act as “a direct tax on Americans,” noting that coffee can’t be produced domestically. “It’s impossible to resurrect the coffee industry here, we simply can’t grow it at scale,” he remarked.
Recently, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) announced intentions to introduce bipartisan legislation to abolish tariffs on coffee imports. Khanna emphasized that the U.S. produces “less than 1%” of the coffee it consumes, making these tariffs a heavy financial burden for consumers.
