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Will US supermarket prices rise due to Trump’s tariffs? We’ll tell you
Tariffs have not only affected the countries subject to them, but also American citizens, who wonder if supermarket prices will rise
Since his return to the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump has implemented a series of tariffs that have not only affected the countries subject to these duties, but also American citizens, who have begun to wonder whether supermarket prices will rise as a result. Their concern is not unfounded, as recently, some companies like Temu, Shein, and Adidas have announced that they will increase their product prices due to the tariffs. But what about supermarkets? Here’s what you need to know.
Will supermarket prices rise due to the tariffs?
While it’s true that the United States produces and manufactures a large portion of its food, it also imports many products from other countries. According to the U.S. Consumer Federation, 15% of the country’s food supply is imported. Of that, 32% is vegetables, 55% is fruit, and 94% is seafood.
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Because of this, economists have predicted a rise in prices for various products and foods. According to Thomas Gremillion, Director of Food Policy at the U.S. Consumer Federation, the standard 10% tariffs alone represent a truly historic federal tax hike, with a highly regressive impact. This, he said, will be a problem for consumers, whose purchasing power will be reduced.
Which products will increase in price in the United States?
When going to supermarkets to shop, consumers will very likely see price increases on food products that are not produced—or are produced in very small quantities—in the U.S., such as:
- Bananas: Almost all are imported from Guatemala, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Colombia, and other countries.
- Coffee: Only Hawaii and Puerto Rico grow coffee, so it is imported from countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Vietnam.
- Olive oil: Although California produces some, nearly all of it is consumed from European countries.
Products imported from Canada to the United States that will increase in price
- Wood
- Coal
- Aluminum
- Iron and steel appliances
- Cereals, flours, and starches
- Dairy products
- Rubber
- Alcoholic beverages
- Carpets and other textile floor coverings
- Wool, animal hair, yarn, and horsehair
- Umbrellas
- Canes, seat canes, whips
- Cotton
- Photographic or cinematographic products
- Cork products
- Printed books
Products imported from Mexico to the United States that will increase in price
- Cereals
- Paper products
- Processed fruits and nuts
- Tropical fruits
- Tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and cabbage
- Pickled foods
- Fruit juices
- Fertilizers
- Dairy products
- Eggs
- Honey
- Cotton
- Beer and spirits
- Coffee, tea, mate, and spices
- Meat, fish, and seafood
- Sauces and condiments
- Baked goods
- Avocados
- Raw sugar
Products imported from China to the United States that will increase in price
- Fish and seafood
- Vegetable oils and fats
- Vegetables, fruits, and nuts
- Corn
- Soaps, lubricants, waxes, candles, modeling pastes
- Cereals, flours, starches, and wheat
- Dairy products
- Coffee, tea, and spices
- Sugar
- Cocoa
- Eggs
- Honey
- Vinegar
- Apple juice
- Garlic
What are tariffs?
Tariffs are taxes imposed on the import of goods. These tariffs benefit locally manufactured products by giving them a competitive price advantage over similar imported products. They also represent a source of revenue for governments.
Why did Trump impose tariffs?
President Donald Trump has stated that tariffs are an effective tool to correct trade imbalances and protect the U.S. industry. According to the Republican, China, Mexico, and Canada have not taken enough action to stop the flow of drugs and migrants into the United States, and he sees these tariffs as a way to pressure these countries to act.
