Grocery Prices Aren’t Coming DownNo Matter Who’s President [Video]

In the days leading up to and following the 2024 presidential election, voters en masse fixated on grocery prices as a proxy for the economy at large. “It’s the only issue on which a majority of voters, 52%, say the candidates’ positions on it are an ‘extremely important’ influence on their vote,” Gallup declared. A post-election poll by AP VoteCast showed similar numbers, with two-thirds of voters stating they were “very concerned about the cost of food and groceries,” PBS reported. And rightfully so: food prices have risen nearly 30% in five years.

It’s an issue that affects everyone who buys necessities, and one that many believe president-elect Donald Trump can fix. The truth is, though, that the president—any president—has very little control over the cost of eggs, lettuce, milk, or any other grocery store item in your cart. But here are some policies that can make it a little better—or whole lot worse. For example: Trump’s plan to increase tariffs means …