Trump's Protectionist Food Plan Could Backfire on Prices.

Trump's Protectionist Food Plan Could Backfire on Prices. The former president proposed taxing food imports and deregulating energy to lower grocery costs, claiming it would help American farmers. However, economic analysis suggests the opposite outcome. Today, fifty-five percent of fresh fruits and thirty-two percent of fresh vegetables consumed in America come from imports, primarily Mexico and Canada. Tariffs on these goods would likely increase consumer prices rather than decrease them. Since the 1990s, free trade agreements have more than doubled produce variety in American supermarkets while keeping prices competitive. Restricting imports could return the market to scarcity conditions and higher costs for consumers.