Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02) and William Timmons (R-SC-04), co-chairs of the Congressional Coffee Caucus, led a bipartisan letter urging Ambassador Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative, to remove existing and future tariffs on coffee in order to protect American jobs and support the continued vitality of the nation’s import-dependent coffee industry.
“Unlike many other goods affected by recent tariffs, coffee is not produced at a scale within the United States that can meet domestic demand. Though small quantities of predominantly specialty coffee are grown in Hawai‘i and Puerto Rico, their combined production accounts for less than 1 percent of U.S. coffee consumption,” the letter stated.
“Because there is no viable domestic substitute, tariffs on imported coffee create challenges for the industry. Sixty-six percent of American adults drink coffee every day, making it the most popular beverage in the country. But coffee is more than a daily ritual for millions of Americans – it is a vital pillar of our economy and local communities. Nationally, the coffee industry supports more than 2.2 million American jobs, generates over $100 billion in wages, and contributes an estimated $343 billion in economic output per year. Every $1 of imported coffee creates an estimated $43 in value throughout the supply chain, and coffee shops, roasters, and distributors serve as important economic engines supporting small businesses and creating jobs that help sustain local economies.”
Reps. Tokuda and Timmons were joined by Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Tim Burchett (R-TN-02), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Maria Salazar (R-FL-27), Sarah McBride (D-DE-AL), Scott Perry (R-PA-10), Becca Balint (D-VT-AL), Pat Fallon (R-TX-04), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), and Ben Cline (R-VA-06).
A copy of the letter can be found here.
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