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Donald J. Trump, 47th president of the United States, is hoping to make good on many of the promises he made to voters on the campaign trail, chiefly that he would reverse inflation, particularly high grocery prices. Here’s a look at what he’s done so far:
After taking the oath of office, Trump issued a record number of executive orders, including one promising “emergency price relief for American families and defeating the cost-of-living crisis.” The order lacked specifics, though, with only one mention that the federal government should take steps to “eliminate harmful, coercive climate policies that increase the costs of food and fuel.”
Trump, who began walking back promises to address food inflation shortly after winning the election, admitted in a Time interview, “It’s hard to bring things down once they’re up. You know, it’s very hard.”
Failing to reverse grocery inflation may not play well with the president’s ardent MAGA supporters. According to a nationwide survey of Republican voters by Consumer Brands Association and Morning Consult, 84% say that fixing the economy and lowering inflation should be Trump’s top priority in office. Similarly, 76% of Trump voters agree that “the cost of basic necessities like groceries should be a top priority for the new administration.”
Border security and immigration were big themes during Trump’s campaign. He promised on the campaign trail to secure the nation’s borders and deport millions of illegal aliens from the U.S. Among his first actions in office was an executive order closing the southern border to guard against illegal entry. Trump also closed off an avenue to legal immigration by rescinding a Biden administration program that allowed Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan immigrants to enter the U.S. by air legally. However, farmers and food manufacturers often meet their labor needs by hiring legal migrants. As of press time, it’s unclear what Trump’s executive orders and further steps taken by the administration will mean for U.S. agriculture and food production staffing.
Trump has repeatedly praised tariffs, often using the threat of them to attempt to negotiate more advantageous trade terms with rivals such as China as well as allies such as Canada, Mexico and the European Union.
‘Tariffs are going to make us rich as hell. [They’re] going to bring our country’s businesses back that left us.’
Tariffs were not part of Trump’s flurry of executive orders, although he told reporters following his inauguration that the U.S. would impose a 25% tax on imports from Mexico and Canada starting as early as February.

President Donald J. Trump signs an executive order on Jan. 20, 2025.
America’s neighbors are major sources of agricultural imports. Last year, the U.S. bought more than $17 billion in fruits and vegetables from Mexico alone.
A majority of Trump voters are in no hurry for him to impose tariffs on the nation’s allies. The Consumer Brands Association and Morning Consult survey found 57% of Republicans believe Trump should refrain from imposing tariffs on America’s friends. Furthermore, 62% want products that cannot be grown or made in the U.S. exempted from future tariffs. Fifty-six percent feel the same about items with limited availability. However, Trump appears unmoved by his supporters’ sentiments. “Tariffs are going to make us rich as hell,” Trump told those attending an inauguration celebration at the Capital One Arena in Washington. “[They’re] going to bring our country’s businesses back that left us.”