new Data The report released today by Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation shows how President Trump’s reckless economic policies and the war in Iran are driving up summer cooking and travel season costs. Prices for backyard grilling supplies have jumped 13% on average since last year, more than four times the rate of inflation. Burger prices for families will rise by 20%, Kraft Heinz ketchup prices have jumped 14%, and grilled corn costs twice what it did last year. Even a portable food dish will also cost families more money, as aluminum foil prices have risen by 18%.
If working families can spend a weekend getaway on a budget, summer travel plans may remain out of reach. Airfare prices are up 26% and are expected to continue rising this summer, while gas prices are hovering around $4.50 nationally. As Transport Minister Sean Duffy concludes After his family’s seven-month, all-expenses-paid trip, working families are wondering if they’ll be able to afford to travel at all this summer. All in, Reports He discovered that Duffy’s company-sponsored vacation would cost at least $900 in fuel expenses — and that’s not including the luxury cruise the family got to end their trip. Trump and his administration couldn’t be more out of touch with working families this Memorial Day weekend.
Chief Economist at Groundwork, Bryon WilliamsHe issued the following statement:
“Trump’s senseless tariffs and illegal war are depriving American families of a relaxing summer vacation. From the box office to restaurants, consumers are backing down in the face of Trump’s summer poster shock.”
Janelle Jonesa senior fellow at the Century Foundation, shared her response:
“Prices are rising because of tariffs and war — decisions the president has made that he can reverse whenever he wants, but by his own admission, he spends no time thinking about Americans’ finances. Families are being squeezed by the prices of everything, and leaders in Washington don’t seem to care.”
Dining: Barbecue essentials are more expensive thanks to Trump
- Prices for beef, hot dogs and sausages have risen to record highs (by 20%, 12% and 28%, respectively) as consumers consider firing up the grill this weekend.
- Fresh produce prices have soared under Trump thanks to rising fertilizer prices and a faltering farm economy. The cost of tomatoes rose 22%, while corn prices rose 98% and lettuce prices rose 19%.
- Trump’s war in Iran has also pushed up the price of common plastic utensils in cooking: the price of single-use plastic utensils has risen by about 20% compared to last year due to unrest in the Middle East. These price impacts will continue beyond the summer grilling season.
Flights, road trips, and even lodging will cost more this summer
- A family of four can expect to pay an extra $300 on plane tickets this summer as the Trump war continues. All major U.S. airlines announced price hikes of about $10 per checked bag ahead of the holiday season, in addition to a spike in airfare prices.
- Budget airline Spirit shut down this month in part due to unexpected increases in jet fuel costs while airline CEOs expect to pass on higher operating costs to consumers through higher fares.
- Southwest Airlines CEO Andrew Watterson revealed to shareholders on a recent call that there have been five industry-wide fare increases so far this year, and he expects more are on the way.
- Kirby, United’s CEO, also acknowledged that prices will not go down, saying: “The longer consumers pay these prices and the airlines get used to this revenue stream, the more likely that will happen.” [to hold]”.
- Travelers who can afford higher fares will be crammed onto smaller planes with fewer flight options.
- Airlines canceled more than two million seats and 12,000 flights around the world in late April and early May, an unprecedented level of cancellations.
- United Airlines canceled more than 21,000 flights from its summer schedule, while Delta and American reduced nearly 12,000 flights combined.
- Gas prices have reached their highest level since 2022, at about $4.55 nationally, up more than 50% from $2.98 before the president’s war in Iran began.
- Working families looking to stay comfortable at home may find it more difficult as temperatures rise: Trump’s tariffs have sent the cost of HVAC systems higher, and his administration has ended tax breaks Americans relied on to upgrade their air conditioning.
To speak to a Groundwork expert about rising prices and the economic fallout of Trump’s agenda, email Click @groundworkcollaborative.org.
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