# Are we (in the US) going to end up with empty shelves and much higher prices in May? What should we do to prepare **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [April 26, 2025, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518 "2025-04-26T01:37:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/121 "2025-05-08T03:28:24Z")
I really need a new cell phone - I have to charge mine several times a day. I want to get a Google Pixel, but the newer model I want is _really_ expensive - 3x what I’ve ever spent on a phone. I have to decide whether waiting for Prime Day in July when they go on sale is pointless, as the tariffs will have made them a lot more expensive. Will the tariffs be rescinded by then? Who knows?? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/122 "2025-05-08T05:31:44Z")
Check the other thread about back up phones for travel. Someone on there posted a link for Google fi. I looked at the Pixel. It’s a very nice looking phone and a deal for new Google fi customers. (I choose Peony, yes I chose cars by color too) ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/123 "2025-05-08T05:36:58Z")
What about cornmeal for cornbread? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/124 "2025-05-08T17:21:27Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Check the other thread about back up phones for travel. Someone on there posted a link for Google fi. > I looked at the Pixel. It’s a very nice looking phone and a deal for new Google fi customers. Yeah, the price is no better considering I’d be stuck with a plan for 2 years that costs $15/mo more than I’m paying now. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/125 "2025-05-09T20:11:16Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Check the other thread about back up phones for travel. Someone on there posted a link for Google fi. I’ve been a happy Google Fi customer since it was in beta. But those phones are getting expensive. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/126 "2025-05-09T20:54:50Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I’ve been a happy Google Fi customer since it was in beta. But those phones are getting expensive. We bought our current Pixel 6a’s for $240 each. I see you can now buy the 8a’s for $250. That seems a reasonable price for phones that should last many years. We’ve had our 6a’s for almost 3 years and I don’t see any reason to replace yet. Still getting OS updates. Also, I know you don’t use apostrophes to make things plural, but “6as” just looks odd. What is the best way to do that? ---
**Author:** ![vbob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vbob/32/4439_2.png) [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/127 "2025-05-09T22:47:44Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Also, I know you don’t use apostrophes to make things plural, but “6as” just looks odd. What is the best way to do that? Even if it feels redundant, add in a word that DOES pluralize graciously - “our current Pixel 6a smartphones” … “buy the 8a models” …etc. ---
**Author:** ![vbob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vbob/32/4439_2.png) [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/128 "2025-05-09T22:54:06Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > I really need a new cell phone - I have to charge mine several times a day. A few years back bought an [iFixit](https://www.ifixit.com/Parts/Phone) kit to replace the swollen battery in my iPhone - it was an interesting challenge, but worked out great and continues fine. There are a dozen ‘fix-it while you wait’ kiosks in every struggling mall - I suspect you could get another three years out of your phone for a lot less than a new one. The [iFixit](https://www.ifixit.com/Parts/Phone) site will give you a datapoint on price, and usually has a description of how difficult the installation is, if you’re tempted to try yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/129 "2025-05-09T22:56:40Z")
$687.94 for Pixel 8 Pro last year. Kind of an impulse purchase. Still works out to be cheaper than a non-Fi service + phone. Our phone bill is usually about $90/month and considering we’re on the phone _all the damned time_… ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2025, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/130 "2025-05-10T01:00:12Z")
Yes, that makes sense! Thank you. > [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > $687.94 for Pixel 8 Pro last year. Kind of an impulse purchase. This is our second round of Pixel phones. We’ve gone with the cheapies both times and they’ve worked great. I think we got 5 years out of first phones and finally upgraded when the batteries needing charging a couple of times per day. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2025, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/131 "2025-05-10T01:49:00Z")
> [@vbob](#): > > There are a dozen ‘fix-it while you wait’ kiosks in every struggling mall Thanks! I’ve considered doing just this. The Siren call of the Pixel is hard to resist. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2025, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/132 "2025-05-10T02:46:06Z")
I loved my pixel 5. (I liked it more than my current pixel 9.) I extended its life by replacing the battery and the screen. But at some point, Google stopped providing updates, the second battery wasn’t laying as long as i wanted, and i dropped it and broke the screen again… Really, once it stopped getting updates i felt i needed to replace it, and the crack in the screen (which didn’t actually interfere with its function) was just a reminder that the time has come. But I’m a big fan of repairing phones. I had good luck with “youbreakifix”, which is a chain authorized to do repairs for Google. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2025, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/133 "2025-05-10T03:58:28Z")
Another example of how trade and economics work in ways not necessarily how you think they should work. The 45/47 vs PRC tariff/relatiatory tariff spat is having various and vicarious effects. About 300 abattoirs in the United States have not had their export licenses renewed to export beef to China (conversely US chicken and pork export licenses have been renewed). Consequently in Apr-25, due to these tariff and non-tariff barriers, US beef exports to China essentially come to a halt. Now this might just be a co-incidence [snort] but the export trade of Australian beef hit an [all-time record of 127,000 MT in Apr-25](https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2025-05-10/australian-beef-exports-surge-china-us-tariffs-trade-war/105272490). PRC with 22kmt was our second biggest export market. The biggest? With 37kmt that record went to the USA. So with all that US beef not being exported, and record amounts of AUS beef being imported, whatever stateside shelves are going to be empty it’s less likely they will be for beef. > [@45/47 on 4th March when this idiocy was started](#): > > But Trump did single out the Australian beef industry in his speech preceding his tariffs announcement. “Australia bans – and they’re wonderful people – but they ban American beef,” the US president said. Australia doesn’t ban US beef, but US processors are currently not willing to guarantee that the beef they sell is 100% actual US origin beef. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2025, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/134 "2025-05-10T19:09:05Z")
> [@vbob](#): > > There are a dozen ‘fix-it while you wait’ kiosks in every struggling mall - I suspect you could get another three years out of your phone for a lot less than a new one. I broke down and made an appointment for this afternoon at a nearby shop. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2025, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/135 "2025-05-10T23:02:16Z")
What? You never heard of Chicken Fingers? A Family Favorite! Where the hell you think they came from? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2025, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/136 "2025-05-10T23:21:27Z")
I hope it ain’t Fishy fingers 😄 Oh…crap I didn’t mean nothing gross. That’s just fish sticks. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2025, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/137 "2025-05-10T23:32:31Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > But I’m a big fan of repairing phones. > > I had good luck with “youbreakifix”, which is a chain authorized to do repairs for Google. Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind for this phone. I bought the Pixel 8 Pro in a moment of weakness because my Pixel 6 Pro was freezing up sometimes. But in all honestly the Pixel 8 Pro doesn’t feel meaningfully different than having a Pixel 6 Pro. Slightly better camera I guess. I confess I’m a bit of a technophile. I’ve spent a shameful amount on money on e-readers. But I suspect there are some hard years ahead, so I’d better take care of the things I have. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2025, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/138 "2025-05-10T23:47:18Z")
Feeling really good about having prepaid a CSA share in January for the whole season. Also about to do a lot of backyard veggie planting. You can search CSAs by zip code at [www.localharvest.org](http://www.localharvest.org). Farm-fresh eggs via our CSA have been, on occasion, cheaper than supermarket eggs. Check it out! ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2025, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/139 "2025-05-11T00:21:17Z")
So I went to the grocery store today. The shelves (at the store I go to) were still mostly full, with a few empty spots here and there. I don’t know to what degree that was people hoarding in fear of shortages vs actual shortages though. One thing I noticed was that pork products were heavily discounted (some hams were nearly 75% off). I read that China rejected 12,000 tons of pork products, I don’t know if that caused a domestic oversupply of pork, resulting in lower prices, or if its just a coincidence. Or if its an oversupply from easter, who knows. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2025, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/140 "2025-05-11T02:41:38Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > What about cornmeal for cornbread? Compared to the truly staggering amount used as livestock feed, I doubt that makes much of a - heh - dent in the numbers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518.md?page=8)