With the possibility of a new 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico, USC students who shop at Trader Joe’s are considering how this policy could affect their weekly grocery budgets. The tariff, originally set to go into effect immediately, has been paused for 30 days while the U.S. negotiates with Canada and Mexico on border security measures.
President Donald Trump argues that these tariffs will help protect manufacturing, better the economy and inhibit the illegal flow of fentanyl into the country. However, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pushed back, claiming that less than 1% of fentanyl entering the U.S. comes from Canada. Despite the political back-and-forth, students at USC are left wondering what this could mean for their grocery bills.
One of Trader Joe’s most popular frozen products, their frozen butter chicken with basmati rice, is imported from Canada.
For many Trojans, Trader Joe’s is one of the most accessible and affordable grocery options near campus. Pavan Reddy, a master’s student studying engineering management, emphasized the store’s importance in student life.
“The thing is, Trader Joe’s and Target are the only accessible grocery stores nearby, for the USC community, at least… I feel like Trader Joe’s does do the job of keeping the student community alive.”
Florianne Jourde, a sophomore in health and human sciences, said the changes are “obviously going to impact” her, but the convenience of Trader Joe’s is still a factor “because it’s in the USC Village.”
“However, close to the campus, there’s a Ralph’s store,” Jourde said. “And I don’t know if there’s imported foods — the frozen foods over there, for example, are from the U.S. I think I would lean into products that are local, even if it might not be as convenient, but just because it’ll be cheaper.”
For some students, the potential price increases mean reevaluating their weekly grocery budgets. Julien Lessel, a graduate student in global media and communication, anticipates having to adjust his spending habits.
“I think it kind of changes my weekly budgeting in terms of grocery shopping — I might have to change the goods I buy that I’m used to. I might have to opt for, like, a cheaper supermarket store.”
“I think people still continue to go buy that because it’s so convenient. Maybe they opt for different goods to buy. They go a bit farther away,” Lessel added. “But I think people still do like groceries in Trader Joe’s.”
Other students predict that the tariffs will push more people further away from campus in search of better prices. Manuela Nonnenmacher, a cognitive science major, said that while she personally wouldn’t be affected, she sees how it could inconvenience others.
“I don’t think it would affect me personally but I think it would be very annoying, and it would force more people to leave campus to go shopping or [buy] online order groceries,” she said.
As the 30-day pause continues, Trojans will be keeping an eye on whether the tariffs ultimately go into effect. If they do, shopping habits may shift, with more students opting for local alternatives or going off-campus for cheaper groceries.
Regardless of the final outcome, affordability and accessibility continue to be top priorities for students balancing the demands of college life.