The Consumer Brands Association, representing major food companies like PepsiCo, Conagra Brands, and J.M. Smucker, has formally requested the White House grant targeted tariff exemptions for essential imported ingredients facing limited domestic availability. In a letter dated March 10, 2025, the CBA highlighted critical items including coffee, cocoa, oats, spices, tropical fruits, and tin mill steel that are fundamental to American food manufacturing but cannot be sourced adequately within U.S. borders. CBA President Melissa Hockstad emphasized their support for trade enforcement while advocating for a more nuanced approach that considers real-world supply chain constraints and import dependencies. This push comes amid a series of significant tariff implementations that threaten to ripple through food production costs and ultimately impact consumer prices.
Food Industry’s Urgent Call for Trade Relief
The Consumer Brands Association’s recent appeal demonstrates the critical juncture facing food manufacturers amid mounting tariff pressures. Major food companies are caught between supporting domestic manufacturing and facing the reality that certain ingredients simply cannot be sourced sufficiently within U.S. borders. This balancing act has become increasingly challenging as tariffs threaten to disrupt established supply chains.
“As prominent U.S. manufacturers, we adamantly endorse strong trade enforcement and protection mechanisms,” stated CBA President Melissa Hockstad. “Our hope is that the current one-size-fits-all approach for protecting domestic manufacturers can be adjusted to reflect supply chain constraints, informed by commodity and import data.” This statement underscores the industry’s desire for targeted exemptions rather than sweeping policy changes.
The food industry isn’t opposed to tariffs as a general concept, but rather seeks nuanced policies that recognize the unique realities of food production. Many items on their exemption list have been historically imported due to climate limitations, growing seasons, and specialized production capabilities that aren’t readily available domestically. I’ve found that tariff policies impact food security in ways that merit careful consideration by policymakers.
This isn’t the first time food manufacturers have sought tariff relief, but the comprehensive nature of recent tariffs makes this push particularly urgent. Without exemptions, companies warn that consumers will ultimately bear the cost through price increases on everyday food items.
Essential Imports Facing Supply Constraints
The ingredients highlighted in the CBA’s exemption request represent foundational components of American food production. Coffee, a staple in American households, relies almost entirely on imports with virtually zero domestic production capability due to climate requirements. The U.S. imported over 27 million bags of coffee in the past year alone, with Brazil, Colombia, and Vietnam serving as primary suppliers.
Cocoa faces similar constraints, with zero commercial production possible within U.S. borders. Global cocoa shortages have already affected chocolate pricing, and additional tariffs would compound these pressures. West African nations including Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana produce over 70% of global cocoa, making this supply chain particularly vulnerable to trade disruptions.
Oats present another challenge, with Canada providing approximately 60% of U.S. consumption. While some domestic production exists, it falls far short of meeting demand, especially for food-grade quality required by manufacturers. Similarly, various spices essential to American food production come predominantly from tropical regions across Asia, Africa, and Latin America with climate conditions that cannot be replicated domestically.
Perhaps most surprising to many consumers is the critical role of tin mill steel in food packaging. Canada supplies about two-thirds of the primary aluminum used for U.S. food packaging, with 2023 imports totaling an impressive 7.71 billion pounds. This metal is essential for food safety and preservation but faces limited domestic production capacity despite its importance.
Economic Consequences for Food Manufacturers and Consumers
The implementation of broad tariffs without targeted exemptions threatens to create a domino effect throughout the food industry. Manufacturers would face higher input costs, potentially leading to production cutbacks, reduced competitiveness in global markets, and ultimately, job losses. The food manufacturing sector currently employs millions of Americans, making any disruption significant to the broader economy.
Campbell’s Company CEO Mick Beekhuize explicitly warned about these risks, stating: “Tariffs could raise packaging costs and have a negative impact on our namesake soup brand.” This concern reflects the reality that even iconic American food brands rely on global supply chains to maintain affordable pricing. The U.S. can manufacturing industry alone produces 135 billion food, beverage, aerosol, and general line cans annually while employing 28,000 people – jobs that could be jeopardized by rising input costs.
For consumers, these industry challenges ultimately translate to higher prices at grocery stores. Basic economic principles suggest that increased production costs will be passed along to consumers, potentially exacerbating existing inflationary pressures. I’ve noticed that food prices continue climbing across various categories, adding financial strain to household budgets.
The timing of these potential price increases is particularly concerning given current economic conditions. Many American families are already carefully budgeting their grocery spending, and additional price hikes on staple foods could force difficult choices. Food manufacturers worry that without exemptions, they’ll face the impossible choice between absorbing unsustainable cost increases or raising prices on essential products.
Current Tariff Landscape and International Relations
The tariffs motivating the CBA’s exemption request represent a significant shift in trade policy. Since March 12, 2025, a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports has taken effect, though tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports have been temporarily paused until April 2, 2025, for USMCA-compliant goods. Additionally, a 20% tariff on Chinese goods became effective March 3, 2025, creating a multi-front trade situation affecting different supply chains simultaneously.
These tariff rates represent substantial increases compared to historical levels. Previous administrations had implemented more moderate tariffs or used targeted approaches rather than broad applications across entire categories of goods. The comprehensive nature of current tariffs marks a departure from conventional trade policy that typically allowed for more exemptions and carve-outs for essential industries.
The international response has been mixed, with some trading partners threatening retaliatory measures. The EU has considered counter-tariffs on American exports, potentially creating additional headwinds for U.S. food companies that sell internationally. Meanwhile, Canada has formally challenged aspects of the tariff structure through established trade agreement mechanisms.
Charles Johnson, CEO of the Aluminum Association, highlighted the complex interdependence of North American supply chains: “For this growth to continue, the U.S. aluminum industry needs two things — long-term market certainty and a reliable supply of affordable metal, which today comes in large part from Canada.” This statement acknowledges that even as the U.S. aluminum industry has invested over $10 billion since 2016, it still requires complementary imports from trusted partners.
What Happens Next: Evaluation and Decision Timeline
The White House now faces the task of carefully reviewing these exemption requests while balancing multiple economic and political considerations. Analysts expect an initial response within the next 30-45 days, though the complexity of the requests may extend this timeline. Key decision-makers will need to evaluate data on domestic production capacity versus demand for each category of goods mentioned in the CBA’s letter.
Food industry representatives have requested meetings with administration officials to present additional data supporting their exemption requests. These discussions will likely include detailed analysis of supply chain constraints and potential economic impacts across different regions and consumer demographics. Meanwhile, I encourage food enthusiasts to submit your dessert recipe to share how these ingredients figure into your favorite treats.
Monitoring for economic impacts has already begun, with economists tracking early price movements in affected commodities. Careful observation of these indicators may influence the administration’s approach to granting exemptions. Food manufacturers are simultaneously developing contingency plans for various scenarios, from full exemptions to partial relief or complete denial of their requests.
Consumers interested in following developments can visit the official White House trade policy page for updates. The outcome of this exemption process will have significant implications for food prices and availability in coming months. As someone passionate about both cooking and affordable food access, I’ll be closely watching how these decisions unfold while continuing to support churro-themed apparel that celebrates our food culture despite these challenges.
For those concerned about your local food economy, consider taking a moment to submit a favorite dessert shop to our business directory. These small businesses often feel the effects of supply chain disruptions most acutely, and community support becomes even more vital during uncertain economic times.