Hundreds of food products, including beef and oranges, are now exempted from US trade tariffs, according to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Friday.

The order is in response to concerns about persistently high grocery prices in the US, marking a sharp reversal for the president, who long insisted his import duties were not fuelling inflation.

Mr Trump up-ended the global trade system earlier this year by imposing 10 per cent base tariffs on imports from every country, plus additional specific duties that varied between nations.

The executive order also removes tariffs on tea, fruit juice, cocoa, bananas, tropical fruit and tomatoes.

Record-high beef prices have been a particular concern, and Mr Trump said he intended to take action to try to lower them.

Beef

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