Trump dumps tariff on Brazil’s beef

United States President Donald Trump has ended his 40 per cent tariff on beef from Brazil.

Still a tariff of 26.4 per cent remains.

He also eased tariffs on Brazil’s coffee, tea, cocoa, nuts and some fruits and juices.

His tariff changes come after continued rising grocery prices that have defied his election promises to reduce food prices on day one of his presidency.

Brazil sold US $1.5 billion worth of beef to the U.S. over the first eight months of this year.

Trump imposed the 40 per cent additional tariff against former president Jair Bolsonaro who is now serving a 27-year sentence in prison. He was thrown out by a coup.

On another front in the Trump offensive against record-high beef prices, Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater said the Department of Justice is launching antitrust enforcement on the beef industry, feed, fertilizer, seed, fuel and farm equipment.