Summary

Americans, frustrated by high grocery prices, are looking to President-elect Trump for relief. Trump has pledged to lower food costs through tariffs on imports and by reducing energy prices, arguing that these measures would benefit U.S. farmers and consumers.

However, experts warn that tariffs could drive up prices by increasing costs for imported goods essential to food production and risk retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports.

Economists also doubt Trump’s short-term impact on energy costs, noting that sustained grocery price drops are challenging without major economic shifts.

  • Snot Flickerman
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    1 month ago

    Also deporting millions of farm workers isn’t going to help prices stabilize when farmers have vegetables rotting on the vine because they can’t afford US citizens and how much they expect to be paid to be a farm-hand and on top of that US citizens tend to be fat and fucking lazy in comparison to the immigrant laborers.

    Further, in Washington state, many immigrants have made a livelihood by working their way up and buying the orchard out from the owner. How many of those immigrants will be denaturalized and now the orchard has no ownership and is up for grabs at pennies on the dollar, further consolidating food ownership.

    If the US dollar is still somehow the world’s reserve currency after all this fucking idiocy, I’ll genuinely be shocked.

    • TheTechnician27@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      I’m also going to note that a ton of slaughterhouse workers are either undocumented or are the sorts of legal first-generation Latino immigrants Trump would still want to illegally deport. Even as a vegan who wants to see this industry die I can see how fucking disastrous that kind of shock would be for food prices. Even the change in public perception would be massive since it seems like the price of meat is one of the most significant barometers most meat-eaters use for how expensive groceries are.

      • Drusas@fedia.io
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        1 month ago

        Probably because meats are relatively expensive and they consider them to be necessary rather than an optional luxury item.

    • TimLovesTech (AuDHD)(he/him)@badatbeing.social
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      1 month ago

      Also deporting millions of farm workers isn’t going to help prices stabilize when farmers have vegetables rotting on the vine because they can’t afford US citizens and how much they expect to be paid to be a farm-hand and on top of that US citizens tend to be fat and fucking lazy in comparison to the immigrant laborers.

      We can just use High School kids again. /s

      If the US dollar is still somehow the world’s reserve currency after all this fucking idiocy, I’ll genuinely be shocked.

      If Trump’s admin does crash the currency look for him to try and shift the US to his crypto grift coin which is I’m sure 100% legit and will not benefit from new regulation written around it being a black box of money laundering/bribe/slush fund.

    • Damage@feddit.it
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      1 month ago

      If they deport them they lose both their bottom, most exploitable social group, and the hate/fear catalyst for their base… The idea is to take away all their rights and keep them subjugated.

    • Frozengyro@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      Where do you get those numbers? I mostly ask because I think the new car and used car prices seem high. Also, the rent seems low, but obviously rent is extremely location dependant.

      • FoxyFerengi@lemm.ee
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        1 month ago

        I was paying more six years ago for a run down 2 bed apartment outside of Seattle but still within the metro. That rent figure is more in line with my current mortgage payment, but I bought at what I thought was going to be a stupid time (interest is still higher than what I bought at).

        Base model 2024 Crosstrek is 25k, and I could get about 8k for my 18yo car. I’m sure a dealership would sell it for the same that I paid 9 years ago, ~12k.

  • circuitfarmer@lemmy.sdf.org
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    1 month ago

    Trump will lower grocery prices the same day he ends the war in Gaza.

    And if you believe that, I’ve got a hat to sell you (*made in China).

  • Jinni@sh.itjust.works
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    1 month ago

    Anyone who understood what tariffs are could of told you this. Harris may not of had any economic plans other than ctax the 1%', but Trump’s was demonstrably counter productive with tariffs

  • BrianTheeBiscuiteer@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    After gutting a dozen departments he might just take the savings and straight up subsidize food staples. Apparently people don’t give two fucks about why just as long as stuff is cheap.

  • Lexam@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    At this point I’m just going to sit back eat some popcorn and enjoy the show until they have my camp reservation ready.

  • NaibofTabr@infosec.pub
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    1 month ago

    Fuck no this administration won’t help. The best hope Americans had of lowering prices was Lina Kahn.

  • Treczoks@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    Tariffs will be the smallest issue here. Without illegals picking fruits, harvesting vegetables, caring for farm animals, or working in all kinds of food processing factories, food prices will go through the roof.

    But that is 100% GOP strategy. People at the brink of catastrophy, those living paycheck to paycheck, are perfectly exploitable and controlable.

  • Sparking@lemm.ee
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    1 month ago

    I would like to think that Democrats can hold him to this politically, but knowing them they will probably say it is their fault.

  • davidagain@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    The only problem Trump plans on solving are his legal cases, his debt, and people saying he’s no good. The rest is just whatever whim takes him that day. Looking to Trump to solve something for you? You’re gonna have to wait till you’ve got something he wants.