Admin’s Proposed Food Exemptions for Tariffs Prove What Trump Has Denied All Along – That Tariffs Are Taxes on American Families

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, members of the Trump Administration previewed a proposal to exempt some food products from the president’s sweeping and unpredictable tariffs, which have contributed to rising grocery costs.
The proposal, which is still subject to change, would exempt some groceries like beef, citrus, bananas, and coffee regardless of whether the exporting country has established a trade deal with the United States.
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement:
“So the administration is admitting that the tariff on coffee and bananas is a tax? These tariffs have been a self-imposed cost on American consumers and manufacturers. The sooner they stop this tariff policy the sooner we will see improved American affordability.”
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases challenging whether President Donald Trump’s sweeping April 2nd‘Liberation Day’ tariffs are constitutional. However, farmers, small businesses owners, and American consumers who are feeling the pain of Trump’s unconstitutional tariffs now shouldn’t have to wait weeks or months for SCOTUS to announce a decision. Congress could take back the reigns and passSen. Cantwell’s bipartisan Trade Review Actto reassert Congress’ constitutional authority and responsibility to set and approve U.S. trade policy.
Earlier this year, the Federal Circuit Court of Appealsstruck downmany of Trump’s tariffs, agreeing with other lower federal courts that ruledTrump exceeded his authorityin imposing the tariffs. However, the Trump administration appealed to the Supreme Court, asking the Court to overturn the rulings in two cases,Learning Resources v. TrumpandTrump v. V.O.S. Selections.
Immediately following President Trump’s April 2nd‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, Senators Cantwell and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the bipartisan Trade Review Act to reaffirm Congress’ key role in setting and approving U.S. trade policy. TheTrade Review Act of 2025, modeled after the War Powers Resolution of 1973, would reestablish limits on the president’s ability to impose unilateral tariffs without the approval of Congress.
The Trade Review Act of 2025has considerable bipartisan support, including; Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mark Warner (D-VA), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Peter Welch (D-VT), Todd Young (R-IN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). A bipartisan companion bill to Cantwell’s legislation has also been introduced in the House of Representatives.
Last month, theU.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business organization, endorsed Sen. Cantwell’s legislation and theNational Taxpayers Unionincluded the Trade Review Act in their Top 10 Bipartisan Bills for Taxpayers “No Brainer” list.
Nine othermajor organizationsrepresenting millions of small, medium, and large businesses have come out in support of Sen. Cantwell’s bill. View all statements of supportHERE.
Here’s what others are saying:
Despite Trump’scampaign promises, prices have only gone up under his watch. In September, Sen. Cantwelljoined nearly 50 small business owners, some of which were on the verge of going out of business, on the steps of the Supreme Court to push back against Trump’s reckless tariff policies. In April, Sen. Cantwelljoined small business owners at the Port of Seattleto sound the alarm on how disastrous these policies are for Washington state businesses and consumers. According toeconomists at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, tariffs are already causing significant price hikes in durable goods like vehicles, electronics, and furniture.
In Washington state, two out of every five jobs are tied to trade and trade-related industries. Moreover,according to the U.S. Trade Representative, nationally, jobs supported by the export of goods pay up to an estimated 18 percent above the national average. More information about how those tariffs will affect consumers and businesses in the State of Washington can be foundHERE.