The US is rolling back tariffs on “products that cannot be grown, mined, or naturally produced in the United States"

The Trump administration is quietly softening some of the tariffs that form the backbone of the president’s signature economic policy.

In recent weeks, President Trump has exempted dozens of goods from his so-called reciprocal tariffs and has offered to carve out hundreds more — from farm products to aircraft parts — when other countries agree to trade deals with the United States.

Insiders say this shift reflects a growing view within the administration that the U.S. should reduce levies on goods it cannot produce domestically. Everett Eissenstat, deputy director of the National Economic Council during Trump’s first term, said the idea “has been emerging over time.” “There is definitely that recognition,” he added.

The move comes ahead of an early-November Supreme Court hearing on the reciprocal tariffs — a case that could force the administration to refund many of the duties if they are adjudged unlawful. At the same time, Trump is relying more heavily on tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which he is using to impose duties on heavy trucks, pharmaceuticals and furniture.

Last month, Trump announced 25% tariffs on trucks and truck parts and 10% tariffs on buses, effective Nov. 1. He also extended a tariff-relief program for automakers, allowing them to apply for credits to offset parts tariffs until 2030 rather than 2027.

An order issued in September created a list (“Annex II”) of exemptions for products like gold, LED lights, minerals, chemicals and metals. It also previewed hundreds of further carve-outs under a following list (“Annex III”) — targeting goods that “cannot be grown, mined, or naturally produced in the United States,” such as certain agricultural items, aircraft and non-patented pharmaceutical articles.

The same order granted new authority to the Commerce Department and U.S. Trade Representative to approve tariff exemptions without the president issuing a separate executive order each time. A White House official said this change will simplify policy implementation for the dozen + trade deals announced by Trump.

Though Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and others once declared “no exemptions, no exceptions” for the reciprocal duties, Lutnick has publicly softened his stance — saying in July: “If you grow something and we don’t grow it, that can come in for zero.”

For example, candy-maker Hershey said in May it was “engaging with the U.S. government” over cocoa tariff relief, citing how duties have squeezed its main ingredient costs.