U.S. Eases Agricultural Tariffs Under IEEPA Authority, Offering Targeted Relief to Importers and Consumers

On Nov. 14, 2025, the White House announced a significant modification to the “reciprocal” tariff regime imposed earlier this year under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”). The Administration removed or reduced reciprocal tariffs on over 200 agricultural products; a move intended to ease supply pressures and stabilize food prices across the country in time for the holidays.

There are moments in public policy when you can feel the temperature come down a degree or two. This agricultural tariff relief is one of those moments. In a year marked by volatility in global food markets, this adjustment offers a measure of predictability for U.S. businesses and consumers.

A Targeted Rollback with Broad Practical Impact

The tariff reductions cover a wide range of fruits, vegetables, coffee, cocoa, flowers, and specialty agricultural items – products that the United States imports heavily and does not produce in substantial quantities. For importers, retailers, restaurants, and food manufacturers, the easing of these reciprocal tariffs is expected to lower input costs and expand sourcing flexibility.

While the scope of the relief is selective, the cumulative effect is substantial. Many of these products move through high-volume consumer supply chains, small changes in tariff rates cascade into meaningful, real-world cost reductions for businesses and households alike. It reflects a recognition that the health of American supply chains is tied to steady relationships with neighbors and partners. Most importantly it shows that consumers benefit when the path from farm to table is clearer and a little less burdened by cost.

Other Duties Remain Outside the Scope of This Relief

It is important to underscore what the November 14 action does not do. The rollback applies solely to reciprocal tariffs imposed under IEEPA earlier this year. It does not modify existing antidumping (AD) or countervailing duty (CVD) orders, which are measures that arise from formal agency investigations and reflect distinct legal and economic findings.

These AD/CVD duties, which cover specific products under separate statutory frameworks, remain unchanged. Their continued existence does not diminish the significance of the current tariff relief; rather, it reinforces the point that the Administration’s action is targeted, not sweeping, and designed to address areas where relief can be delivered swiftly and without undermining ongoing trade remedies.

A Clearer Path for Importers and a Modest Victory for Consumers

From a policy standpoint, this recalibration reflects an effort to strike equilibrium – protecting U.S. industries where unfair trade practices have been found, while reducing costs where the United States depends on global supply. Many of the products that are part of this relief are items that presently are not grown or cannot be grown in the United States.

For importers, this new tariff landscape provides space for more efficient planning and sourcing. For consumers, it offers a small but welcome counterweight to inflationary pressures in the grocery aisle. It serves as a subtle policy adjustment but carries tangible improvements in consumers’ daily lives.

What U.S. Businesses Should Do Now

Importers, retailers, food-service operators, and consumer-goods companies should review the tariff changes to identify where the newly reduced IEEPA duties may lower landed costs or open more efficient sourcing options.

The adjustments offer an opportunity to revisit procurement strategies – especially for high-volume agricultural inputs such as fruits, vegetables, coffee, and cocoa – and to evaluate whether seasonal or long-term supply planning can be improved under the new rates.

Taken together, the changes allow businesses to refine pricing, secure more predictable supply, and position themselves to pass on some of the benefit to consumers.

For assistance assessing tariff impacts or identifying opportunities created by the new adjustments, please contact:

• Mark Ludwikowski (mludwikowski@clarkhill.com; 202-640-6680)
• Kevin Williams (kwilliams@clarkhill.com; 312-985-5907)
• Kelsey Christensen (kchristensen@clarkhill.com; 202-640-6670)
• Aristeo Lopez (alopez@clarkhill.com; 202-552-2366)
• Laura M. Quesada (Lquesada@clarkhill.com; 202-240-0170)

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