Coffee Bros., a U.S.-based specialty coffee roaster, is urging the federal government to exempt coffee from the newly imposed tariffs.

The petition, titled “Exempt Coffee from Tariffs: Protect American Small Businesses and Preserve Coffee Quality,” has begun gaining traction online, urging action to protect an industry that supports more than 2.2 million American jobs.

On April 2, the Trump administration announced tariffs on coffee imports from 15 of the world’s Top 20 coffee-producing countries — including Brazil, Vietnam, India, Colombia and Indonesia — countries that supply the vast majority of the raw coffee beans roasted and served across the United States. Some origins now face tariffs of up to 46%, Coffee Bros. shares.

“These policies are misaligned with the nature of the coffee industry,” said Dan Hunnewell, co-founder of Coffee Bros., in a statement. “Coffee cannot be manufactured at scale in the United States. Hawaii and Puerto Rico produce less than 1% of what Americans consume, making tariffs not only unnecessary but deeply harmful.”

Compounding the issue are soaring green coffee prices driven by speculation on the C-Market and global climate-related shortages, especially in Brazil and Vietnam, the company shares. Green coffee prices have increased over 100%, placing unprecedented strain on coffee roasters and specialty cafés across the country, according to Coffee Bros.

Additionally, the U.S. coffee sector has yet to fully rebound from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Fresh Cup, many cafés have never reopened, and those that did are still facing reduced staff, tight margins, and emotional exhaustion.

“Now, just as these businesses are working to recover, they’re being hit again — this time by tariffs and spikes in raw material prices,” Coffee Bros states. “It’s a one-two punch that many may not survive.”

Coffee producers in origin countries also are at risk. With U.S. buyers potentially scaling back or shifting to cheaper sources, these farmers might be forced to redirect their beans to other markets, undermining years of economic progress and partnership.

“These higher green prices present an opportunity for farmers to reinvest in their farms, improve quality, and build more sustainable livelihoods,” Hunnewell added. “But that only works if there’s a market willing to support them.”

Coffee Bros. and its supporters are urging the U.S. government to do the following steps:

• Exempt coffee from tariffs under current trade policies
• Recognize coffee as a non-manufacturable, essential import
• Protect American small businesses, cafés, and coffee workers
• Support international trade with countries committed to sustainability and quality

“Coffee is not steel. It’s not cars. It’s not something you can reshore to the Midwest,” Hunnewell said. “We need trade policies that reflect the reality of our supply chain — not ones that punish those who rely on it.”