July 6, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

From Cocktails to Coffee: U.S. Tariffs Threaten Imports, Jobs, and Your Grocery Bill

Major Price Hikes Expected for Coffee, Wine, Chocolate, and Butter 

A sweeping new set of tariffs announced by former President Donald Trump is raising alarm among international trade groups, small business owners, and consumers. Experts warn the move could significantly raise the cost of imported goods across the United States, from Irish butter to your favorite coffee house’s espresso and drip coffees.

Trump announced his plan to impose two different types of tariffs on April 2, a day he calls “Liberation Day.” The first tariff is a standard 10% tariff on all imported goods, and the second is what Trump calls a “reciprocal tariff” on any one of the 60 nations that have levied on imported U.S. goods in their countries. The 10% tariff is scheduled to begin at 12:01 a.m. on April 5, while the reciprocal rates will become effective at 12:01 a.m. on April 9.

Trump has stated that tariffs would be imposed on nations importing goods into the country, but they will actually increase prices for importers and consumers. 

 Photo Credit: Kerrygold

According to the Irish Farmers’ Association, Kerrygold Butter is currently the second most popular butter brand in the U.S. The group said Irish food and drink exports account for roughly 11% of the nation’s total exports, and the new tariffs could deeply disrupt market access. French butter like Bordier and Buerre de Barate, favorites among bakers and fine dining establishments, would also increase in price. 

Trade volumes from Europe to the U.S. had been surging in the months before the announcement. Between January and November of the previous year, more than 236,000 tonnes of EU dairy products had been shipped to American buyers, the highest since European Commission records began in 2010. EU wine exports to the U.S. were also up 18% in November, with importers reportedly stockpiling ahead of anticipated tariffs.

The U.S. Wine Trade Alliance (USWTA) advised members last month to halt shipments of wine, beer, and spirits from Europe due to the unpredictability of new customs policies. “There is no guarantee of an exception for goods already in transit,” said alliance founder Ben Aneff.

Natural wine importer Jenny Lefcourt echoed concerns in a recent op-ed, noting the ripple effect on logistics companies, distribution workers, restaurants, and retailers. “Everyone from truck drivers to chefs could see their jobs threatened,” Lefcourt wrote.

Even American wineries are sounding the alarm. California winemaker Adam Lee said the tariffs could prevent domestic distributors, who rely heavily on imported wine, from purchasing local bottles due to the sudden financial burden. “If tariffs hit 200%, our partners could owe hundreds of thousands in additional taxes,” Lee said.

And it’s not just wine or dairy. Coffee, a staple commodity that the U.S. overwhelmingly imports is now in the crosshairs. Although the U.S. does not grow coffee on a large scale, it imported $8.2 billion worth of beans tariff-free in 2023. Under the proposed rules, import duties could reach up to 45% for coffee from Mexico and 10–15% for beans from Colombia, Honduras, and Guatemala, according to Peter Bay Kirkegaard of the Confederation of Danish Industry.

The National Coffee Association (NCA) warned that such tariffs could be catastrophic. “Coffee cannot grow in most of the U.S.,” the group said in a statement. “Tariffs would threaten over 2.2 million U.S. jobs and a $343 billion industry built around coffee imports.”

 Photo Credit: Facebook 

Other widely consumed imports, such as chocolate and whisky, are also likely to see price hikes. Products from France, Italy, and Scotland—including wines and spirits—will face a 20% duty. Meanwhile, cocoa exporters like Cote d’Ivoire and Ecuador will be subjected to tariffs of 21% and 10%, respectively.

While Trump argues the tariffs will protect American industries, critics warn that they may instead drive up costs for U.S. consumers, businesses, and even domestic producers who rely on international partnerships. Aneff summarized the sentiment bluntly: “These tariffs are great for Canada and China. But they’re terrible for the United States.”

Related Posts

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Los Angeles City Council Cracks Down on ‘Disaster Tours’ in Pacific Palisades

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

City Council Bans Commercial Bus Tours in Burn Zone Amid Community Backlash Tour buses that have been operating in fire-ravaged...

Tow Truck Scammers Target Crash Victims Across L.A.: Authorities Warn of Fraud at Accident Scenes

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officials Urge Drivers to Stay Alert After Collisions as Rogue Operators Demand Inflated Fees  Motorists involved in vehicle accidents are...

Woman Dies After Melrose Store Altercation: LAPD Launches Homicide Investigation

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Critically Injured Young Woman Died July 2, After She was Badly Beaten at Work  The death of a woman critically...

CHP Officer Dies in Culver City Crash: Medical Emergency Suspected Behind Tragic Incident

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officer lost consciousness while transporting a suspect before crashing into a tree California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Cano died early...

L.A. Beaches Brace for Holiday Rush: Over 1 Million Visitors Expected This Fourth of July

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

County Officials Urge Beachgoers to Pack Out Their Trash and  Monitor Water Quality More than one million visitors are expected...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

Hot Dogs & Rosé: Something About Her and The Culver Hotel Roll Out Summer Specials

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Westside Venues to Serve Playful Bites and Seasonal Sips For the Holiday Weekend A bold new offering is making its...

NeueHouse Hosts Bold One-Night Dinner With Culinary Phenomenon Diego Argoti

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Acclaimed Chef Brings Culinary Mischief With a Five-Course Tasting Experience. NeueHouse Hollywood will host an exclusive, one-night-only dining event on...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles Go...

405 Crash Near the Getty Sends Three to Hospital: Two Seriously Hurt Near Site Where LAPD Sgt. Died

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Early Morning Multi-Vehicle Collision Shut Down Lanes Near Brentwood Three men were injured and traffic was snarled for hours following...

Brentwood School Students Explore Gene Editing with Hands-On CRISPR Workshop

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Science Program Gives Teens Hands-on Experience With Revolutionary Biotechnology Students at Brentwood School are getting a firsthand look at the...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...