If you’re reading this, my guess is you’re concerned about the effect tariffs will have on the price and availability of the products you buy – a la COVID. Fortunately, I have a plan to address this. Though liberal homesteading is more about living sustainably than prepping for a catastrophe, prepping for The TARIFF WAR might be smart. You might want to turn the knob a bit more toward catastrophe prep. Preparing for such events is a prudent move. This is especially true when considering global economic shifts.
Part 1: Caffeine
The first thing I’ve noticed is that my favorite tea supplier – Clipper Ship Teas – typically imports the tea leaves for their blends from China. That is now unsustainable with a 145% tariff. They have trouble keeping stock come the late summer and fall. Luckily, when I thought the tariffs on Columbia were going to affect coffee (and caffeine prices in general), I bought two coffee plants and a tea plant. Considering the ongoing economic climate, prepping for The TARIFF WAR is crucial to ensure your caffeine needs don’t suffer.
Coffee plants don’t grow in the US outside unless they are in a greenhouse, which I don’t have. However, tea plants (Camellia Sinensis) grow down to Zone 8, which is viable for much of the US. So, part 1 of this plan is to buy a few tea plants. You can also look into two Holly plants – Yaupan Holly and Yerba Mate. Both have caffeine in their twigs and leaves and are easy to make a tea out of. This is part of prepping for the potential impacts of The TARIFF WAR.
I don’t have evidence of this for the food industry yet. However, a lot of packaging for US goods is made in China, so there will definitely be supply chain disruptions as alternatives are sourced.
Part 2: Food
Securing caffeine is not hard for an individual, but securing food is a lot harder. You really just eat leaves to get sufficient calories. Fortunately, food is still in ample supply in most grocery stores. So, I’d suggest responsibly stocking up on canned goods – beans, vegetables, fruits, soups, etc. Also, consider dry goods like cereals – for example, cheerios, but also just ingredients like oats. Don’t forget flour, dry beans, lentils, pasta, sugar, salt, peanut butter, oil, vinegar, and rice. There’s no need to rush out and buy 100 pounds of rice; however, maybe get an extra 5-pound bag the next time you’re out.
In light of current conditions, prepping for The TARIFF WAR is wise. And though food grows slowly, you should still plant a garden, fruit trees, and berry bushes. Fruit trees and berry bushes can take years before producing any fruit. However, we don’t know how long this tariff war will last, so it’s better to plant now if you have the space – especially if you live in the suburbs or exurbs – but even if you live in a city and don’t have much space, you can grow berries, herbs, and vegetable in containers.
Part 3: Toiletries
As with food packaging, a lot of the plastic packaging for toiletries like deodorant, toothpaste, makeup, etc, is made in China. Luckily, these items are shelf stable, so stocking up is not really an issue. Just do it slowly and responsibly.
Part 4: Miscellaneous
There’s a lot of consumables that are regularly used that will now be subject to 145% tariffs. Consider items like garbage bags, plastic grocery bags, cleaning supplies like gloves, sponges, dish soap, laundry detergent, bleach, vinegar, and baking soda. Additionally, don’t forget about over-the-counter medicines, like allergy meds, Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, bandages, ointments, rubbing alcohol and peroxide. And don’t forget about pet foods and meds! It’s prudent to be prepping for The TARIFF WAR by securing these essentials. As much as I think it is important to do some tariff prep, don’t forget to take some time to rest and recharge.