WASHINGTON, 15 November (H.S.): In a significant policy reversal, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday to lift tariffs on a wide array of commodities, including beef, coffee, and tropical fruits, responding to mounting consumer complaints over high prices and recent electoral setbacks for the Republican party. The move comes just after the U.S. announced new framework trade agreements with four Latin American nations designed to ease import levies.

The decision to roll back the tariffs follows disappointing results for Republicans in off-year elections in Virginia and New Jersey, where voters cited economic anxieties as their top concern.

For months, the Trump administration has maintained that its tariff policies do not increase costs for consumers; however, this executive order signals a direct response to public pressure over the rising cost of groceries.

Record-high beef prices have been a particular point of contention, with the administration's tariffs on major exporters like Brazil seen as a contributing factor.The executive order eliminates tariffs on a broad list of goods, many of which are not produced in the United States, including coffee, tea, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, cocoa, spices, and some fertilizers.

This action is intended to provide relief to American consumers facing high prices at the supermarket.Coinciding with the tariff rollback, the White House announced new trade framework agreements with Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Argentina. These deals aim to reduce import barriers and strengthen supply chains.

As part of the agreements, Ecuador will eliminate a variable tariff on many U.S. agricultural products, while the United States will remove reciprocal tariffs on certain products, such as textiles and apparel, from El Salvador and Guatemala.

The tariff rate for imports from Ecuador will remain at 15%, while Argentina, Guatemala, and El Salvador will have a 10% rate, with targeted relief for specific goods not produced in the U.S.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar