Is This the End of the Coffee Tariffs?

• Trump's tariffs have massively impacted the coffee industry over the past six months, increasing prices for consumers and causing chaos for companies. But finally, a glimmer of hope: The Trump administration announced an exemption for certain commodities—coffee included—that the United States doesn't produce in sufficient quantities. Exact details are still a bit vague (it's possible that the administration doesn't quite know what it's doing) but hopefully we get more clarity over the next week or so.
• Speaking of the U.S. not producing coffee... Black Rifle Coffee markets itself as a patriotic, all-American coffee roaster, complete with eagles and flags and such. A new lawsuit alleges that the company's America-forward branding misleads customers into believing that the coffee is grown in the U.S.
• Luckin Coffee, the buzzy Chinese startup and Starbucks rival, is considering relisting on the Nasdaq stock exchange. Relisting because it went public back in 2019, only to collapse into bankruptcy less than a year later due to a massive accounting scandal. (An interesting tidbit from this story is that Centurium Capital, the private equity firm that owns a controlling stake in Luckin, is eyeing a bid for Costa Coffee.)

For more on all these stories, plus why coffee might actually be beneficial for those suffering from atrial fibrillation (arrhythmia), check out the full Roundup over at Fresh Cup Magazine:

Coffee News Club: Week of November 17

Is tariff relief finally coming? Plus, a lawsuit against Black Rifle Coffee alleges its brand misleads customers, and Starbucks workers go on strike.

Fresh CupFionn Pooler

Last week, paid subscribers received a bonus article looking at how Blue Bottle was able to claim carbon neutrality despite its total emissions increasing significantly:

On Blue Bottle Coffee’s Climate Neutral ‘Achievement’

For paid subscribers: Blue Bottle used carbon offsets and a focus on “emissions intensity” to go carbon neutral, but its total emissions increased quite significantly. Should this “achievement” be celebrated?

The PouroverFionn Pooler

I'll be back on Friday with another long read, but until then it's goodbye from this still unnamed rescue kitten and his amazing ear hair: