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The Story Behind Rising Coffee Tariffs
April 09, 2025 3 min read
The Story Behind Rising Coffee Tariffs
When politics meets your morning coffee it becomes a global issue. Every morning, millions of us reach for a cup of coffee before we’ve even said a word. It’s more than just a beverage—it’s a ritual. A comfort. A little moment of joy. But behind that daily cup is a complicated global dance of growers, exporters, roasters, and retailers—and lately, that dance is stumbling.
The reason? Tariffs.
A Storm in the Coffee Trade
Not long ago, coffee importers across the U.S. started to get nervous. News broke that tariffs—those taxes placed on goods from abroad—were coming for coffee. Not all coffee, thankfully. The green, un-roasted beans that many U.S. roasters rely on? Still duty-free, for now. But roasted coffee, instant coffee, and other processed varieties? Those are getting hit—and hard.
The numbers told the story:
- Vietnam, one of the largest exporters of robusta beans, now faces a 46% tariff.
- Indonesia is looking at 32%.
- China, already tangled in ongoing trade disputes, faces 34%—a combination of older penalties and new ones.
- Even longtime partners like Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Honduras aren’t exempt. Each is subject to a 10% tariff on processed coffee.
Only Mexico and Canada have remained in the clear, thanks to protections under the USMCA trade agreement.
What Sparked the Fire?
It didn’t happen overnight. These tariffs are the result of years of economic back-and-forth. The U.S. imposed them as part of a broader response to issues with China, disputes with the European Union over aircraft subsidies, and ongoing frustrations with steel and aluminum imports.
Some of these trade spats might seem unrelated to your latte—but in today’s interconnected world, few things are truly separate.
The Ripple Effect
Suddenly, U.S. coffee importers and roasters had to make tough choices. If they bought roasted or instant coffee from Europe or Asia, they were now paying significantly more. For some businesses, that meant scrambling to find new suppliers. For others, it meant eating the cost—or passing it on to customers.
Even though green coffee remains untaxed, the ripple effects are real. Smaller coffee businesses feel the squeeze first. And for customers? Higher prices may be just around the corner.
A Fork in the Road
Faced with rising costs, many companies are getting creative. Some are shifting their focus to green beans from tariff-free countries, roasting them here in the U.S. Others are diversifying their supply chains or building new relationships with producers in Latin America or Africa.
It’s not just about survival—it’s about resilience.
Why It Matters
We don’t often think about the politics behind our coffee. But these tariffs are a reminder that our everyday rituals are shaped by decisions made across oceans and in government buildings we’ll never visit.
That steaming cup in your hand? It carries stories from Vietnam’s highlands, Colombia’s mountains, Ethiopia’s rich soil. And now, it carries the weight of global trade policy too.
The Takeaway
Tariffs may not change the way your coffee tastes, but they could change the way it’s sourced, priced, and delivered to your cup. The good news? The coffee community is strong. Roasters, growers, importers, and baristas are all adapting—because the love of coffee runs deeper than trade disputes.
And as for that morning ritual? Don’t worry. It’s safe—for now.
Support Local, Sip Smarter
At Weaver’s Coffee & Tea, we roast our beans right here in the U.S., sourcing directly from trusted farmers around the world. When you buy from us, you’re not just getting a delicious cup—you’re supporting a more stable, ethical, and sustainable coffee industry.