We mentioned in a recent HOTLINE that coffee prices have been surging (up more than 15% this year). We pointed to the 15% coffee tariffs and the new 50% tax on Brazilian beans that took effect in early August.

There are clearly other causes for the higher costs for a cafe mocha at Starbucks – including droughts in South America. But we get 37% of our coffee beans from Brazil, and so, sorry, a 50% tariff is going to hit Brazil AND American coffee drinkers.

We don’t understand WHY we put tariffs on coffee. There are almost no jobs protected or saved. The U.S. simply does not have a climate suited for growing coffee beans.

So why not go with free trade in coffee beans and make mornings great again?