For paid subscribers: Donald Trump’s latest arbitrary tariff threat, this time against Brazil, has once again enveloped the coffee industry in chaos and uncertainty. When will it end?
The United States has long been at the centre of the global coffee industry. But as policies shift under the Trump administration, that dominance is under threat.
Here’s a quick summary of what went on in the news last week:
Oat milk is milk, for now—the FDA’s new draft guidelines still allow for alternative milks to be labeled as “milk”, much to the chagrin of dairy producers.
A labor board judge said that Starbucks violated its employees’ rights “hundreds of times” and displayed “egregious and widespread misconduct” in its dealings with organizing workers. Which sounds bad.
Coffee might soon officially be good for you, as the FDA seeks to update what can legally be labeled “healthy.” The National Coffee Association and American Heart Association both think coffee should be eligible.
I'm the creator and writer of The Pourover. Based in Scotland, I have over a decade of experience in the specialty coffee industry as a barista, roaster, and writer. Ask me about coffeewashing.
