White House announces tariff reductions on products from multiple countries
Tomi Lahren, co-host of “The Big Weekend Show,” argues that the United States should reduce imports of foreign beef and label “bottom lines” on foreign imports.
The White House announced several trade deals with Latin American countries that could lead to lower tariffs on certain products, including certain coffee, banana and beef exports. The countries participating in the agreement are Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador and Argentina.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates that the United States can protect domestic production while gaining broader market access with our trading partners,” the White House said in a fact sheet about the agreement.
Government officials said reciprocal tax rates would be maintained under the deal, but tariffs would be lower on certain items, such as coffee, bananas and cocoa that cannot be produced in the United States. However, most imports will not be covered by the agreement, and Argentina, Guatemala and El Salvador will be subject to 10% tariffs on these items, and Ecuador will be subject to a 15% tariff.
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President Donald Trump listens to administration officials speak during an event in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 16, 2025. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images/Getty Images)
The framework of the agreement with Argentina includes a reduction in import duties on Argentine beef, but the U.S. import quota will not be expanded.
The Trump administration’s plan to expand beef imports from Argentina has drawn the ire of both Democrats and Republicans. In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Trade Representative Jamieson Grier, several Republican lawmakers expressed concern about how this could affect America’s farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers.
“While we share the Administration’s goal of reducing costs for consumers, we are concerned that granting additional market access to Argentina, already one of our largest beef suppliers, would undermine U.S. cattle producers, weaken our position in ongoing trade negotiations, and reintroduce avoidable animal health risks,” the letter, signed by 14 Republicans, said.
Livestock penned at the Canuelas market in Canuelas, Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 20, 2025. (Agustin Markarian/Reuters)
Republican lawmakers oppose Trump administration’s plan to import Argentine beef
The letter was signed by Rep. Jason Smith (R-Missouri), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Nebraska). Greg Steube of Florida State. Beth Van Dine, from Texas; Mike Carey of Ohio State. Michelle Fischbach from Minnesota. Bruce Westerman, from Arkansas. Rudy Yakim III of Indiana; Scott Franklin of Florida. Max Miller, from Ohio. David Kustoff, from Tennessee; Frank Lucas from Oklahoma. Greg Murphy of North Carolina. and Florida’s Aaron Bean.
“Expanding access to countries that maintain barriers to U.S. beef or that have historically struggled to maintain transparency in animal health risks disrupting markets and driving down cattle prices with no measurable benefit to consumers,” the lawmakers said.
The 14 Republicans called for more investment domestically, rather than relying on imports as a way to lower prices. But the deal outlined Thursday appears to strike a political balance, giving Argentina some tariff relief while keeping its quota intact.
President Donald Trump speaks about reciprocal tariffs while U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick holds a nautical chart during the “Make America Prosperous Again” Rose Garden event at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 2, 2025. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
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In a fact sheet, the White House highlighted how Americans may benefit from the agreement. Regarding El Salvador, the Trump administration said San Salvador was committed to addressing non-tariff barriers, “including streamlining regulatory requirements and approvals for U.S. exports.” Meanwhile, Argentina agreed to give “preferential market access” to U.S. products such as medicines, chemicals and technology. Additionally, Guatemala pledged to refrain from “imposing digital services taxes or other measures that discriminate against U.S. digital services or digitally delivered U.S. products.”
Ecuador, which faces higher tariffs than the other three countries, said it would introduce and maintain high levels of environmental protection and improve forest management to prevent illegal logging.
