US Lawmaker Seeks White House Records on Trump Tariff Exemptions for Beef, Diamonds and Smartphones

October 29, 2026 | By Semahegn Nigatu

US Representative Jamie Raskin has demanded White House records on tariff exemptions granted to imports including Brazilian beef, Belgian diamonds and Chinese smartphones, alleging that the decisions may have benefited companies and industries that provided gifts and political contributions to President Donald Trump.

Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, requested communications and internal records from the White House and the Office of the US Trade Representative concerning the exemptions, including whether gifts or financial contributions influenced tariff decisions.

In a letter dated October 28, Raskin questioned the exemptions granted under the Trump administration’s latest tariffs, which it said were intended to target goods associated with forced labour. He argued that the exclusions raised questions about the consistency of the administration’s stated policy rationale.

The letter cites several examples of companies and industry groups that received tariff relief after making contributions or presenting gifts linked to Trump.

Brazilian meatpacking group JBS’s US subsidiary, Pilgrim’s Pride, donated US$5 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, according to Raskin. The lawmaker also cited a private meeting between JBS co-owner Joesley Batista and Trump, followed the next day by an announcement of tariff relief for Brazilian beef imports.

The administration subsequently exempted nearly 40 categories of beef and bovine products, according to the letter. Raskin said the decision could increase competition for US cattle producers already facing higher costs.

In the diamond sector, Raskin pointed to a ring featuring 321 natural diamonds presented to Trump by Belgium’s Antwerp diamond industry. He said the administration exempted diamonds from tariffs about a month later, despite the US Department of Labor identifying diamonds among goods associated with forced or child labour in some supply chains.

The lawmaker also questioned tariff relief for smartphones imported from China, citing Apple chief executive Tim Cook’s one million US dollars contribution to Trump’s inaugural committee and a separate gold plaque presented to the president. Raskin further referred to Apple’s contribution to Trump’s proposed White House ballroom, the amount of which he said had not been disclosed.

Raskin is seeking records of communications with companies and lobbyists requesting tariff relief, information about gifts and political contributions from parties seeking exemptions, and internal documents showing how the administration reached its decisions.

The inquiry follows a US Supreme Court decision striking down Trump’s earlier emergency tariffs, after which the administration introduced a new round of tariffs that it said targeted forced labour.

Raskin also questioned exemptions covering luxury reptile leather, antiques, rare collectibles and artificial intelligence data centres, citing potential financial interests involving Trump and members of his family.

The letter did not establish that the exemptions were granted in exchange for gifts or political contributions. The allegations remain Raskin’s claims, and the document provided no response from the White House or the US Trade Representative.

The lawmaker also cited a Tax Foundation estimate that the latest tariffs would cost the average US household 820 US dollars this year.

Source: FSX Business News