Trump signs order to remove tariffs from Brazilian food products

US President Donald Trump on Thursday has removed his 40 per cent tariffs on Brazilian food products, including beef, coffee, cocoa and fruits that were imposed in July following the prosecution of former president Jair Bolsonaro.

The move follows a similar order by the administration last Friday to remove tariffs on several agricultural products from other countries as the White House makes a U-turn on some tariffs that have increased the cost of food in the United States.

The order will affect Brazilian imports to the US on or after November 13 and may require a refund of the duties collected on those goods while the tariffs were still being charged, according to the text of the order released by the White House.

Brazil normally supplies a third of the coffee used in the United States, the world's largest coffee drinker, and has more recently become an important supplier of beef, particularly the type that is used to make burgers.

US retail coffee prices rose as much as 40 per cent this year due to the tariffs and other market factors such as weather-induced production shortfalls.

Rising food prices are a major factor behind Trump's declining approval ratings, which have fallen to their lowest since his return to power, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found. "You can expect some thousands of bags of Brazilian coffee that were sitting in bonded warehouses to start moving quickly to US roasters," said commodities analyst Judith Ganes, president of J. Ganes Consulting.

"The decision (to lift Brazil tariffs) shows the effectiveness of the trade negotiations," said Brazilian beef industry group ABIEC, adding it will continue to work to increase its share in the market.

Trump's executive order on Thursday did not mention the actions against Brazilian authorities involved in the prosecution and conviction of former President Jair Bolsonaro, and his ally, for plotting a coup to remain in power after losing the 2022 election.

Brazil's Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and his wife were sanctioned through the Global Magnitsky Act, while other justices and some ministers had their US visas revoked.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Thursday he was glad that the 40 per cent tariff was removed.