Food prices in the US rose before Trump tariffs to Mexico and Canada, would they increase more if applied?

The food prices They registered an increase in the United States in recent months, with products such as avocades and other vegetables from Mexico already up to the advertisements of imposition of tariffs by President Donald Trump.

According to experts, the causes of this rise are not directly related to the tariff policy of the new US administration, but respond more to the underlying inflation in the country, which since the second semester of 2024 registered a 2.7 %rise, especially food products and energy.

In the supermarket section where eggs are sold, signs that warn that the Avian flu crisis and the mortality of laying chickens is generating supply problems. As a consequence, in stores that have a product available, prices are more than double compared to a few weeks ago.

Silvia, a Salvadoran immigrant who resides in Falls Church, Virginia, frustrated the shelves and is decided at the end by one of the egg marks that offers them for less cents. Its budget for family weekly purchase is about $ 200.

“Everything is very expensive and more if they get on prices as they say with what Trump has ordered, he will no longer be able to live here,” he said to the Voice of America In reference to the tariffs with which the US president seeks that Canada and Mexico collaborate more in migratory and security matters.

Carlos Castro, owner of all Supermarket, in Woodbridge, Virginia; explained to the Voa That the highest price increase is recorded in agricultural products, meat, fish, and now eggs.

“The truth is that a few months ago we see that price increase and almost everything, but in greater proportion agricultural products, vegetables, fruits, which are of great consumption in our community,” he explained.

Castro added that it has not yet been calculated as much as a price increase in the 25 % tariff load announced by President Trump to Mexican and Canadian products could impact.

But there is no doubt- he adds- that a climb will put greater pressure to consumers who already see their pocket to bring food to the table.

In the case of entering tariffs after 30 days of pause agreed by the presidents of Mexico, Canada and the United StatesMexican products such as expensive avocados would increase, a trend to which other products such as papayas, tomatoes, nopales, corn and other vegetables would add.

Who will pay more?

A worker in one of the stores of the Food Star chain in Alexandria, removes the labels of canned products to replace them with other updated that show a dollar increase, while commenting “everything is more expensive.”

Non -perishable products, imported from Mexico, Guatemala and other countries in the region, have also registered increases in recent months.

Kevin Yun, general administrator of this chain of stores, which has as one of its main niches the Latin market, confirmed to the Voa That the most alarming jump in the price escalation has been eggs and meats. This increase extends to vegetables, key products in businesses such as Food Star.

Yun indicated that 20 % of the products they sell come from Mexico and other Central American countries, especially traditional products at the Hispanic table in the US.

“The impact of tariffs cannot yet estimate it, but it is clear that it would have an effect on fresh products that come from Mexico,” said the businessman.

Pause

While establishments and consumers owners are waiting for what a price increase promoted by tariffs and other causes could bring, governments began negotiations to resolve differences during the break in the imposition of US tariffs. Canada and Mexico had announced levies in response.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on social networks that she said “a good conversation with President Donald Trump with much respect for our relationship and sovereignty.”

Trump agreed. “It was a very friendly conversation in which she (Sheinbaum) agreed to immediately send 10,000 Mexican soldiers to the border that separates Mexico from the United States. These soldiers will be specifically designated to stop the flow of fentanyl and illegal immigrants to our country, “said the president.

He added that the negotiations will be in charge of their state secretaries, Marco Rubio; Treasury, Scott Besent; and of commerce, Howard Lutnick. “We have not yet reached an agreement on tariffs. Maybe let’s do it, maybe not. But we have a good relationship,” said the White House.

Experts have warned that a commercial war between allies would lead to a pricing escalation to US consumers, although the measure would also impact a country like Mexico that allocates up to 80 % of its exports to the US, which would lagged up to 2 points Your growth.

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