WASHINGTON, DC – There are many ways to show one’s love on Valentine’s Day, but unfortunately, due to President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and refusal to help lower food prices, Americans will likely shell out record amounts this year for things like flowers, chocolate, or a dinner date at their favorite local restaurant. 

U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) says it’s time President Trump follow through on his campaign promise to actually do something to help lower prices instead of making moves to increase costs on consumers and American businesses.

“Donald Trump pledged to fix the economy, but so far he’s made things worse.  He’s fixated on tax cuts for the wealthy and tariffs that economic experts say will only drive up prices for American consumers.  Since Trump took office, inflation is accelerating and groceries, gas, and rents rose over the last month.  His chaotic, destabilizing approach is sending prices in the wrong direction for families,” said Senator Reed.

During Trump’s second term in office, the consumer price index rose 3 percent in January from a year ago, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. It has increased from a 3-and-a-half year low of 2.4 percent in September.

Those planning to wine and dine their sweetheart this Valentine’s Day will likely face higher costs than last year for everything from flowers to food to fuel.  In fact, Trump’s focus on everything but the economy might leave Americans a little lighter in their wallet for things like:

Flowers: A majority of florists import their bouquet flowers from countries like Colombia and Mexico. Recent tariff threats by President Trump are already creating supply chain pressures and impacting prices on products coming into the U.S.  In order to stay afloat, some mom and pop flower shops are estimating they could have to raise prices as much as 10 percent on bouquets compared to last year’s Valentine’s Day.

Chocolate: It will be harder to find a sweet deal on chocolate this Valentine’s Day because chocolate prices are up about twenty percent as cocoa prices hit new heights.  Several factors contribute to the price hike, and not all are within Trump’s direct control. For instance, key cocoa-producing regions of West Africa have been impacted by severe weather, exacerbated by climate change. But Trump’s inaction and climate denial only exacerbates environmental and health hazards that don’t respect borders. The chocolate industry in the U.S. is also impacted by consolidation.  Trump has allowed anti-competitive industry consolidation in the past which leads to higher prices in the long run and allows huge companies to stomp out upstarts. 

Restaurant Dining: Not only are menu prices rising under the Trump Administration, but due to Trump ignoring his pledge to take action on day one to address food prices, staples like eggs and entrée items like steak have shot up in the last month.

“Americans want the federal government to work effectively and they want action to lower prices and strengthen the economy.  Donald Trump needs to stop with the culture war sideshows and focus on the things he pledged to do -- like lowering food, housing, and health costs.  Giving away massive tax windfalls for the wealthy and slashing Medicaid doesn’t lower prices.  So far, Trump’s policies have made things worse for many Americans.  He needs to change course,” concluded Reed.