> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://thechocolatelife.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Just Say NO to Tariffs | #PodSaveChocolate Ep 136 - URL: https://thechocolatelife.com/just-say-no-to-tariffs-podsavechocolate-ep-136/ - Published: 2025-07-20T21:36:52.000Z - Updated: 2025-07-23T15:20:00.000Z - Description: Episode 136 is a presentation and discussion of a Trump Administration olive branch regarding tariffs on cocoa and coffee and what you can do to lobby against them. Time is of the essence - so tune in and activate! - Author: Clay Gordon - Tags: PodSaveChocolate, Live Stream **When and Where to Watch** 🗓️ The stream airs LIVE at 11:00 ****PDT/MST** (12:00 MDT, 1:00 CDT, 2:00 EDT), on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025. Links below to watch LIVE and to view the archived episode. Click on this (shareable) link to watch on YouTube. Please subscribe (free!) to the [@PodSaveChocolate YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@podsavechocolate/featured?ref=thechocolatelife.com), like this video, comment, and ****share** this episode to help grow the #PSC community. This ****LINKEDIN** link is shareable. [![CTA Image](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2025/05/LinkedInLogo.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/claygordon%5Flavidacocoa-thechocolatelife-cacao-activity-7352777664576827392-oyIl?utm%5Fsource=share&utm%5Fmedium=member%5Fdesktop&rcm=ACoAAAABaLUB44l0lzyoZ9nf9Lg8nfstgzLqxbg) Watch and comment LIVE or view the archived episode on LinkedIn. Join my network on LinkedIn to receive notifications and to refer business to each other. [Watch this episode on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/claygordon%5Flavidacocoa-thechocolatelife-cacao-activity-7352777664576827392-oyIl?utm%5Fsource=share&utm%5Fmedium=member%5Fdesktop&rcm=ACoAAAABaLUB44l0lzyoZ9nf9Lg8nfstgzLqxbg) This ****FACEBOOK** link is shareab [![CTA Image](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2025/05/FacebookLogo.png)](https://www.facebook.com/share/16QSHZjDpV/) Watch and comment LIVE or view the archived episode on ****TheChocolateLife page** on Facebook (for 30 days, then watch the archive on YouTube). Follow [TheChocolateLife on Facebook ](https://fb.me/thechocolatelife?ref=thechocolatelife.com)to receive notifications and catch up on other content. [Watch this episode on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/share/16QSHZjDpV/) --- ## **Episode 136 Overview** ### **TL;DR** Emily Stone, a founder of Uncommon Cacao, posted on Facebook last week that the Trump Administration was considering removing tariffs on imported cocoa, cocoa products, and coffee. > *Considering*. ### **The Ask – What *You* Can Do** Reach out to both of your state Senators and all of your House Representatives and send them an email, encouraging their support to exempt cocoa, cocoa products (e.g., nibs, liquor, butter, and powder), and coffee from any new tariffs. ****ACT NOW – Write YOUR representatives NO LATER THAN July 31st! Do it today** [![CTA Image](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2025/07/CongressionalSeal-Small-1.jpeg)](https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member?ref=thechocolatelife.com) ****Your letter should be the body of the email** ***or** **copied into the contact form.** ****Do not attach your note as a PDF to an email** [Find Your Representatives ](https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member?ref=thechocolatelife.com) ### **Use This Template** [Template for Letter to Congress re Cocoa TariffsDownload, enter your information, and personalize.Template for Letter to Congress re Cocoa Tariffs.docx16 KBdownload-circle](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/files/2025/07/Template-for-Letter-to-Congress-re-Cocoa-Tariffs-1.docx "Download") ### **Additional Info to Consider Adding to Your Letters** 1. The US Chocolate Industry as a whole: • Accounted for over $24 **B**illion in sales in 2023 • Employs tens of thousands of skilled workers 2. 3 of the Top 10 biggest chocolate/confectionery/snack companies in the world are headquartered in the US. Combined 2024 (global) sales topped $70 **B**illion, employing over 150,000 people worldwide. • Mondelēz and Mars have their headquarters in **Ohio** • Hershey has its headquarters in **Pennsylvania** --- ### **Summing Up – What? How? Who? When?** 1. **What #1:** The Trump administration is considering exempting cocoa, cocoa products, and coffee from new tariffs. 2. **What #2:** If you are a chocolate maker, confectioner, or fan of chocolate and live in the United States, you have a voice! 3. **How & Who:** Contact both your State Senators and all your House representatives and tell them you are opposed to the tariffs, and why 4. **When: Today if possible, but *no later than* July 31st.** --- ### **EXTRA TOPIC: FDA Revoking SOIs for 52 Products** **Some Vanilla products were among them** This article showed up in my feed: [FDA targets 52 food standards of identity for termination](https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/28651-fda-targets-52-food-standards-of-identity-for-termination?ref=thechocolatelife.com). I was contacted by a colleague who asked about three products on the list, all vanilla-vanillin mixtures. One of the reasons for asking was concern that the current administration was trying to undermine what “vanilla” was ⋯ undermining food purity and food safety concerns. It turns out there is no modern conspiracy ⋯ the timing is the slow turning of the wheels of government. The impetus for these changes stretches back more than 30 years. > I misspoke when I said the original Executive Order (12866) was during the Obama administration; it was from 1993 during the Clinton administration. **Executive Order 12866 (1993)** This order, issued in 1993, requires that significant federal regulations undergo review by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). A “significant regulatory action” is one that has a major economic impact, affects public health or safety, or raises important legal or policy issues. The order mandates that agencies only propose regulations when the benefits justify the costs, and encourages the use of the least burdensome regulatory approaches. It also requires agencies to make public the documents exchanged with OMB during the review process. [Read the full text (PDF) ↗](https://www.archives.gov/files/federal-register/executive-orders/pdf/12866.pdf?ref=thechocolatelife.com) [Summary from EPA ↗](https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-executive-order-12866-regulatory-planning-and-review?ref=thechocolatelife.com) The clarifying Executive Order (13563) was enacted in 2011 during the Obama administration. **Executive Order 13563 (2011)** Building on 12866, this order was issued in 2011 to reaffirm and expand regulatory review principles. It emphasizes public participation, scientific integrity, and the use of the best available techniques to quantify costs and benefits. Agencies are directed to coordinate regulatory activities, seek input from those affected before proposing rules, and periodically review existing regulations to ensure they are effective and not overly burdensome. The order also calls for greater transparency, including online access to rulemaking dockets and opportunities for public comment. [Read the full text ↗](https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/01/18/executive-order-13563-improving-regulation-and-regulatory-review?ref=thechocolatelife.com) [Summary from EPA ↗](https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-executive-order-12866-regulatory-planning-and-review?ref=thechocolatelife.com) To get to the what and why, start with these two pages, the first on the FDA website, the second in the Federal Register: [Standards Affected by FDA’s First Set of Food Standard RevocationList of Standards Affected by FDA’s First Set of Food Standard Revocation Rulemakings![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/favicon-46.ico)FDAHuman Foods Program![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/FDA-Social-Graphic-2.png)](https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-food-labeling-and-critical-foods/list-standards-affected-fdas-first-set-food-standard-revocation-rulemakings?ref=thechocolatelife.com) [Proposal To Revoke 23 Standards of Identity for FoodsThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is proposing to revoke 23 standards of identity for food. FDA is taking this action because we tentatively conclude that these standards are no longer necessary to promote honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers. This proposed action…![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/fr2_favicon-4140f7a04934cf48501e3b03d299dae7e94a3b86834aa7cc2bddb83d9179443e.svg)Federal Register21 U.S.C. 321![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/open_graph_site_banner.png)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/17/2025-13420/proposal-to-revoke-23-standards-of-identity-for-foods?ref=thechocolatelife.com) ****Purpose of the Proposed Rule:** This action proposes to remove 23 standards of identity for food that FDA tentatively concludes are no longer necessary to promote honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers. Now take a look at the eCFR ⋯ the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Chapter I, Subchapter B, Part 169: [eCFR :: 21 CFR Part 169 Subpart B -- Requirements for Specific Standardized Food Dressings and Flavorings![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-18ac1159c2217e79fb45c21adc630384b65af33c4e6de8eca0ff8527a4fe080e.png)eCFR The Electronic Code of Federal RegulationsPart 169](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-169/subpart-B?toc=1&ref=thechocolatelife.com) Note that 169.175, .176., .177, .178, and .179 are not affected by this rulemaking change. **Conclusion** The wheels of government turn slowly, and vanilla-vanillin products that were in common use 30+ years ago are no longer in common use, so the FDA feels that spending any more money to keep them up to date and enforce them is money wasted. There is no grand conspiracy by the current administration. > At least in respect to **this** topic. --- ### **Questions?** If you have questions or want to comment, you can do so during the episode or, if you are a ChocolateLife member, you can add them in the Comments below at ***any*** time. --- ### **Episode Hashtags and Socials** #Tariffs #cocoa #cacao #cacau #chocolate #chocolat #craftchocolate #PodSaveChoc #PSC #LaVidaCocoa #TheChocolateLife --- ### **Future Episodes** 🗓️ None scheduled at the time this was published. --- ### **#PodSaveChocolate and #TheChocolateLifeLIVE Archives** **To read an archived post** and find the links to watch archived episodes, click on one of the bookmark cards, below. [Pod Save Chocolate Calendar and ArchiveNews, views, and conversations on topics in cocoa and chocolate streamed live to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. #PodSaveChocolate!![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/12/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2023/11/TagImageBanner-PodSaveChocTagFinal_1920x1080-5.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/pod-save-chocolate-calendar-and-archive/) [#TheChocolateLifeLIVE ArchiveNews, views, and conversations on topics in cocoa and chocolate streamed live to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/12/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2023/03/solen-feyissa-WG7v_wYZW4Q-unsplash-CalendarFeatured1920x1080.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/thechocolatelife-live-calendar/) [PodSaveChocolateHosted by Clay Gordon, the creator and moderator of TheChocolateLife.com, #PodSaveChocolate covers a wide variety of topics in the worlds of cocoa and chocolate. The video versions of this podcast are hosted and archived on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Click on the PodSaveChocolate link in the top nav on TheChocolateLife for the links to the post accompanying each episode.![](https://pnc.st/static/img/256x256.png)Pinecast![](https://social.pinecast.net/preview_card/podcasts/covers/d3730dca-0711-4720-9ef3-3b18918c1f0d/TagImageBanner-PodSaveChocTagFinal_1920x1080.jpg?title=PodSaveChocolate)](https://pnc.st/s/podsavechocolate?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Audio-only podcasts --- ## Not a Member? Live The Chocolate Life – Live La Vida Cocoa! Sign up for Free to comment and receive members-only content. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Premium subscriptions available.