President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs placed on imported goods from China, Mexico, and Canada went into effect Tuesday, March 4. The United States receives approximately $32 billion worth of goods annually from Mexico, including fruits, vegetables, and poultry, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The effects of these new tariffs will trickle down to grocery store prices across America. Despite a recent pause of tariffs on specific products, members of Generation Z remain concerned with inflation.
Consumer prices of food products increased 3% on average in January 2025, according to the monthly Department of Labor Report. Groceries specifically rose half of a percent, with eggs costing 50% more than at the same time last year. Generation Z people, especially those unable to work full-time, could be hit particularly hard by inflation. These price increases are tough in major U.S. cities where the minimum wage does not match the rapidly rising standard of living costs.
White House Senior Trade Advisor Peter Navarro defended the Trump administration’s tariff policy. Navarro told CNBC that there would be small to no effects on prices. The administration has also insisted that tariffs would increase employment opportunities, as well. Economists suggest otherwise.
A condensed history of tariffs in international trade
A tariff is when one country’s government imposes a tax on goods imported by a different country. In the 19th century, this type of tax was extremely popular. The theory was that countries with unfair trade practices could be kept in line with tariffs, and it would protect the imposer’s domestic manufacturers. After World War II, this tax fell increasingly out of favor as international trade became more integrated.
Retaliatory tariffs and the igniting of a trade war are also major risks. On March 4, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Department of Finance Canada announced $30 billion worth of tariffs on American imports.
Michael Hansen, senior executive vice president of public affairs at the Retail Industry Leaders Association, told the Washington Post that he believes Americans are hoping Trump can grow the U.S. economy. Still, these taxes are not the way to do so.
Tariffs on Canada and Mexico put those goals in serious jeopardy and risk destabilizing the North American economy.
Micahel Hansen, 2025
Şebnem Kalemli-Özcan is a professor of economics at Brown University and a global economy expert. In an interview with the University, Kalemli-Özcan said that American consumers and small businesses would be on the losing end of inflation.
Research has shown that consumers ultimately pay. Economists don’t typically agree on all things, but if you ask me, “What is one thing they do agree on?” – it’s that tariffs are costly to the American consumer in the end.
Şebnem Kalemli-Özcan, 2025
Consumer concerns with inflation become apparent
A social media campaign for a “24-hour economic blackout” went viral on Feb. 28. The boycott was a protest of corporate greed, inflation, and the rollback of company diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. People across the U.S. did not and encouraged others not to spend money at major retailers such as Amazon and Target. This boycott coincides with a shaky stock market and Wall Street on edge because of the Trump administration’s unpredictability.
Lauren Acevedo is a full-time university student in Washington, D.C. and is only able to work in the summer. Acevedo said in an interview with Trill Magazine that she has seen the impacts of inflation on grocery and gas prices and rent.
I know a lot of people my age are living like paycheck to paycheck. I’m just frightened for the future of our economy, and I know that stock market prices are failing as a result of the tariffs, and I know that a lot of U.S. grocery products, especially fresh produce, are sourced from all three of these countries.
Lauren Acevedo, 2025
Acevedo said inflation adds concern to an already “scary time where a lot of people in the U.S. can’t afford groceries to begin with.”
Eating healthy and fresh produce is a priority to Ella Hallberg, 22. Hallberg said in an interview with Trill that tariffs on imports concern her because of how they could affect the sustainability of her eating habits — she is a vegetarian.
I’m using my money to make what I want to make and buy what I want to eat. At the same time, I’m entering my adult life and I’m actually learning how to manage my money. Especially for somebody who is not economically focused. I do have to understand how a tariff will impact me specifically. So the policy was a little bit of a surprise, but then I decided, ‘okay, what is my action plan for this?’
Ella Hallberg, 2025
How to manage the effects of inflation
Hallberg said that she is at a loss about how to protest the government’s economic policies. She said that being a student, working, and participating in an internship does not leave much time to take action, but she does want to be politically and economically conscious.
Hallberg, 2025
I think the only thing that I can do is manage around the impacts. I would say I have to manage my budget a little bit more, especially because I have a very specific taste for what I cook. It’s just a question of ‘how can I manage these new prices to reflect what I can and cannot consider to buy?’
Acevedo said that budgeting and shopping at traditionally less expensive grocery stores such as Costco and Lidl could help save amid inflation increasing grocery prices. She said that imposing tariffs and economic policy is in control of the federal government, but spending “wisely” and not eating out could help dampen the effects on consumers.
I think it’s mostly us having to budget, shop smarter and not waste as much food. I think [Generation Z] are inclined to waste more food, so I think budgeting and cutting unnecessary expenses can help save money.
Acevedo, 2025
