We’ve all experienced the sticker shock from shopping for Halloween candy this year. And you’re probably wondering, how did it suddenly get so expensive? There’s a simple answer to the question: Donald Trump’s tariffs. Here’s everything you need to know about how Trump’s tariffs ended up at your grocery store.
Tariffs Are a Nasty Trick.
Trump’s tariffs on our country’s trade partners have spiked the price of cocoa beans, which are in every piece of chocolate Halloween candy that we eat. The countries that produce cocoa have been hit with tariffs ranging between 15 percent and 39 percent. And the corporations that buy those cocoa beans, like Hershey’s and Mondelez, are passing those costs onto us. These companies are employing a combination of direct price hikes and sneaky tactics like shrinkflation to get shoppers to cover the increased ingredient costs. In some cases, companies are even reducing the amount of chocolate in the candy and replacing it with sugar. We can connect the dots: when Trump announces new tariffs, there’s a direct line from his policies to our wallets.
It’s not just chocolate. Tariffs on aluminum make candy wrappers more expensive. And, Trump’s tariffs on China are pushing up prices on Halloween classics like decorations and pumpkin carving kits – in some cases as much as 300%. Trump is playing games with his tariffs, and everyday Americans are footing the bill.
Hardworking Americans Deserve a Treat.
Halloween candy prices and healthcare premiums are skyrocketing, while SNAP benefits are expiring. Hardworking Minnesotans deserve to celebrate holidays without having to give up the basics. But Trump’s priorities are adding a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom to the White House and giving tax breaks to corporations and billionaires. And instead of fighting for their constituents, conservatives are just a rubber stamp on Trump’s agenda.
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