Tuna, beans, Spam: Trump’s tariffs threaten the canned foods millions rely on to survive

Trump vowed to cut food costs, but experts warn metal tariffs may raise prices in a matter of months

Canned foods make up a big part of 20-year-old Cale Johnson’s diet: tuna, corned beef hash, beans, chicken soup, Spam and fruit. They’re affordable and have a long shelf life, which is essential for many people in the US like Johnson, who earns a low income and works two part-time jobs in addition to being a full-time student in Omaha, Nebraska.

In the days after Donald Trump’s recent decision to double tariffs on steel and aluminum, Johnson says he’s worried.

“I know that some people have been resorting to stocking up only on non-perishable goods now before they get more expensive,” said Johnson, who has used the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap) to make ends meet. “There’s a feeling of panic and having to prepare in the coming months.”