(AURN News) — A new round of food tariffs is set to hit U.S. shoppers on Aug. 1 — and for families already stretched thin, the timing couldn’t be worse.
Under the Trump administration’s trade policy, import taxes on many food products will increase for more than 80 countries. A new report from the Tax Foundation says nearly three-fourths of America’s food imports are already taxed, and many of those rates will climb higher — in some cases exceeding 30%.
The European Union’s food exports, for example, are scheduled to see tariffs increase from 10% to 15%. Brazil, Canada and Mexico are also among the countries affected.
The Tax Foundation reports that about 63% of agricultural imports from Canada and Mexico are exempt under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, but other goods from those countries will still face tariffs — rising to as much as 35%.
Mexico, Canada, the European Union, Brazil and China are the top food exporters to the U.S. — together accounting for about 62% of all U.S. food imports in 2024, according to the Tax Foundation.
Among the products most affected are baked goods, liqueurs and spirits, coffee, fish and beer — which totaled $46.5 billion in 2024, about one-fifth of total food imports.
Unlike manufactured goods, food isn’t easy to replace with U.S.-grown alternatives. The report cites land scarcity, climate limits and consumer demand as major barriers.
In the end, it means you will be paying more.
