Economics

The Bipartisan War on Cheap Food

Republicans and Democrats preach about food affordability. Yet their policies continue to make it worse.

C. Jarrett Dieterle | 4.18.2026 7:00 AM

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Affordability has become the latest go-to buzzword for politicians across the ideological spectrum. Food has received special focus, with everyone from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani to President Donald Trump pledging to make mealtime cheap again. But despite all the rhetoric, both parties continue to push policies that spike the cost of groceries and meals.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a portion of the Trump administration's tariffs, but the decision did not affect Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum. These metals still face a 50 percent tariff rate.

The impact can be felt in grocery store aisles across the country.

The steel tariffs affect what's known as "tinplate steel," which is the rolled steel used in the cans of many types of food, such as tomatoes, fruits and vegetables, and soups. The Consumer Brands Association warned that the tariffs could elevate the cost of canned foods by up to 15 percent. Only about 30 percent of the demand for tinplate can be met domestically, which leaves canned food packagers with little choice but to absorb the higher costs—before passing them along to consumers—or to cut costs elsewhere through downsizing.

Earlier this year, Del Monte Foods—the popular purveyor of canned........

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