Brazil coffee growers wary of incoming Trump tariffs

Coffee growers in Vassouras, in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state, are hoping for an eleventh-hour reprieve before the country is subject to tariffs of 50% on its exports to the United States.

Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump announced new tariffs, which included raising duties on Brazilian imports to 50% from 10%, effective August 1. Producers of coffee and other goods hope a solution can be found before then. 

"Brazil is the largest producer and exporter (of coffee) in the world," coffee farmer Thiago Garcia told Reuters at his farm in Vassouras. 

Around a third of the coffee consumed in the U.S., the world's largest drinker of the beverage, comes from Brazil, which has in recent years been shipping about 8 million 60-kilogram bags (132 pounds) a year there, according to industry groups.

"There will be a surplus of coffee here in Brazil and the tendency is for (the price) to decrease, until they find another way to export to other countries," Garcia said.