9 Affordable Foods Safe From Trump's Tariff Hikes

Buzz Feed

2 days ago

Trump's new reciprocal tariff plan has pushed the average US tariff rate to about 15.8% — the highest it's been in almost a hundred years, according to Yale's US economic research center. We haven't seen a rate with a percentage sign that high since the Great Depression.
The fallout from Trump's widespread tariff announcement on April 2 (which he called 'Liberation Day') has left many Americans feeling the same way I like my eggs: soft scrambled. Soft, because we feel helpless against the tariff-powers-that-be. Scrambled, because we're spinning, trying to figure out how these massive import taxes are going to mess with our daily lives.
Between the dramatic rise and fall of egg prices, the spikes in cost for items we love like potato chips and matcha, and the ever-changing news around global tariffs, grocery shopping in 2025 has us, to put it bluntly, crashing out.
If you're staring at your cart wondering how your receipt says $86 when you just came in for 'a couple things,' same. And while we can't fix the economy, we can help you figure out what foods are still holding it down when everything else is going up.
So, whether you're already feeling the recession vibes, inflation spirals, or just don't want to give up your particularly particular current fixation meal, here are some tariff-proof(ish), recession-resilient foods that are budget-friendly and, for now, drama-free:
Dry legumes
Bad news: Because of the recently announced tariff on imported steel and aluminum, there will likely be a spike in the cost of canned legumes (like chickpeas and lentils), but the good news is dried beans are more cost-effective anyway!
Okay, because of the recently announced tariff on imported steel and aluminum, there will likely be a spike in the cost of canned legumes (like chickpeas and lentils), but the good news is dried beans are more cost-effective anyway!
While cooking dried beans and lentils is time-consuming, it's pretty much entirely hands-off, and the money you save is so worth the pesky overnight soak.
Eggs
It was borderline traumatizing to check egg prices just six months ago, so I'm honestly in disbelief about this one. That said, a few caveats: avian flu still looms over egg production, and tariffs could impact imported egg products (like processed or powdered eggs used in packaged foods).
Pork
Some of us have straight up been bypassing the meat section of the grocery store because it's simply too expensive per serving. And while beef prices are high (and still rising), the USDA reports that pork prices are holding steady. So, swap those grilled steaks for pork chops on the grill this summer and bring on the baby back ribs!
Fresh fruit and vegetables grown in the US, Canada, and Mexico
Hold on, consulting my notes from 10th-grade social studies to confirm that NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) protects tariff-free trade of agricultural products between the US and bordering nations. It is. Phew.
Peanuts (the American ones, at least)
American PB&J lovers, rejoice — your sandos are safe. The US is one of the world's top producers of peanuts (shoutout to Georgia, Alabama, and Texas), and most of that peanut goodness stays right here at home. In fact, we export relatively few compared to how much we grow, which means the domestic supply is strong and less vulnerable to global price swings or import tariffs.
American-made cheese
It may be time to swap that French Roquefort for some Maytag blue cheese (made in Iowa), and trade your Irish cheddar cheese for Vermont cheddar! While fresh agricultural products from our bordering nations are protected from US tariffs, imported processed foods — like many of our favorite cheeses — are not. Cheese from Europe, for example, is subject to a 20% tariff, according to the USDA. And who pays the price? We do.
Potatoes (Idaho's finest)
While a bag of chips might be flirting with $6 these days, the humble potato itself is actually doing just fine. In fact, wholesale potato prices are lower now than they were just a few years ago. That's because potatoes are grown in huge quantities across the US — from Idaho to Maine — which makes them less vulnerable to the kind of global supply chain chaos or tariff drama that's affecting imported goods.
Rice (except the imported kind)
The average American eats a lot of rice, about 27 pounds per year, but US farmers grow a lot of it! US-grown rice is still affordable, tariff-resistant, and built for bulk meals. Short grain, long grain, basmati, arborio — it's economically stable as long as it's US-grown!
Bread
The US grows a ton of wheat, so your basic sandwich loaves are likely to stay consistently inexpensive and won't be subject to the wackadoodle market fluctuations hitting other groceries.
Biggest takeaways: Stick to US-grown basics, keep an eye out for sneaky import drama, and follow the advice moms around the world have known for centuries: rice and beans is all you really need.
Now that you've got the groceries decided, need help deciding on what to make? We've got you. Download the Tasty app for full access to over 7,500 recipes — no subscription required.