In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has exempted dozens of products from reciprocal tariffs and proposed supporting hundreds more, from agricultural products to aircraft parts, as countries reach trade deals with the United States. Tariff exemptions for a range of goods Last month, Mr. Trump signed an executive order to issue new tariff exemptions for a range of products from gold, LED lights to certain minerals, chemicals and metal products through a list called “Annex II.” The president also considered hundreds of potential future exemptions that would allow a range of products to enjoy zero tariffs under trade agreements the US is negotiating with other countries. That list, dubbed “Annex III,” focuses on “products that the United States cannot grow, mine, or produce naturally.” Some agricultural products, aircraft and aircraft parts, and more are examples. The order also allows the Commerce Department and the Office of the US Trade Representative to grant tariff exemptions without requiring Trump himself to issue similar executive orders. A White House official said the exemptions would help streamline tariff policy, so the Trump administration would not need to issue an executive order for every exemption when implementing dozens of trade deals the US has announced or is about to announce. Candy giant Hershey is lobbying the Trump administration to exempt it from reciprocal tariffs on imported cocoa. (Illustration: Getty Images). The Trump administration has already reached trade deals with a number of partners, including Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as major economies like Japan and the European Union. During a lunch meeting this week, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the US would soon announce more deals, according to Senator John Kennedy, who also attended the lunch. The Consumer Brands Association, which represents major U.S. food manufacturers, sent a letter to the Trump administration in March urging officials to grant exemptions for items such as coffee, oats, cocoa, spices and tropical fruits. Certain items have been placed in Annex III and may be eligible for exemption if they are imported from countries that have trade agreements with the United States. Candy giant Hershey said in May that it was “working with the government” to seek an exemption for cocoa. Tariffs on the commodity have added to the difficulties for the Pennsylvania-based company. Several other food companies have said they will raise prices to offset the added costs of tariffs. Others are trying to hold out. Chicken of the Sea, a seafood company, said it is trying to maintain stable prices for its canned tuna despite the tuna tariffs. But some tuna products may also qualify for tariff exemptions. Change tactics According to sources of the Wall Street Journal , Mr. Trump's offer to exempt hundreds of items from tariffs shows that the US government is increasingly supporting reducing tariffs on goods that the country cannot produce. And the White House’s new moves come shortly before the Supreme Court opens a reciprocal tariff hearing in early November, which could force the Trump administration to rescind many of the tariffs if it loses. The White House, the Commerce Department and the Office of the US Trade Representative did not respond to requests for comment from the Wall Street Journal . The reciprocal tariff changes indicate the Trump administration wants to hedge against the risk of the policy being struck down by courts, according to sources. The White House is currently trying to impose new tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. So far, Mr. Trump has used Section 232 to impose tariffs on metals and cars. In October, he also used the provision to announce new tariffs targeting heavy trucks, pharmaceuticals and furniture. Some of President Trump's protectionist allies argue that increased Section 232 tariffs will help bring manufacturing back to the United States. “Imposing tariffs on products that the US cannot produce is unreasonable. Section 232 is the most effective tool,” said Nick Iacovella, Deputy Director of the Alliance for a Prosperous America.