Ground Game: About half of US adults say grocery costs cause ‘major’ stress, China defends Russia and Iran oil deals

The vast majority of U.S. adults are at least somewhat stressed about the cost of groceries, a new poll finds, as prices continue to rise, and concerns about the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs remain widespread. 

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President Donald Trump gestures as he departs from the South Lawn of the White House en route to Joint Base Andrews, Md., Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) 

About half of US adults say grocery costs cause ‘major’ stress 

About half of all Americans say the cost of groceries is a “major” source of stress in their life right now, while 33% say it’s a “minor” source of stress, according to the new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Only 14% say it’s not a source of stress, underscoring the pervasive anxiety that most Americans continue to feel about the cost of everyday essentials. 

According to the poll, 64% of the lowest-income Americans – those who have an annual household income of less than $30,000 per year – say the cost of groceries is a “major” stressor. That’s compared to about 4 in 10 Americans who have a household income of $100,000 or more. 

Other financial stressors — like the cost of housing or the amount of money in their bank accounts — are also broadly felt, but they weigh more heavily on younger Americans, who are less likely than older adults to have significant savings or own property.  

The survey also found that about 4 in 10 Americans under 45 say they have used what are known as “buy now, pay later” services, when spending on entertainment or restaurant meals, or when paying for essentials like groceries or medical care. Read more.

Of note:

Housing is another substantial source of worry for U.S. adults — along with their savings, their income, and the cost of health care. About half of U.S. adults say housing is a “major” source of stress, according to the poll, while about 4 in 10 say that about the amount of money they get paid, the amount of money they have saved, and the cost of health care.

China defends oil deals with Russia and Iran in US trade talks 

U.S. and Chinese officials may be able to settle many of their differences to reach a trade deal and avert punishing tariffs, but they remain far apart on one issue: the U.S. demand that China stop purchasing oil from Iran and Russia.  

Following two days of trade negotiations in Stockholm, China’s Foreign Ministry posted Wednesday on X that “Coercion and pressuring will not achieve anything,” responding to the U.S. threat of a 100% tariff.  

At a time when both Beijing and Washington are signaling optimism and goodwill about reaching a deal to keep commercial ties between the world’s two largest economies stable, the response underscores China’s confidence in playing hardball when dealing with the Trump administration – especially when trade is linked to its energy and foreign policies. On Thursday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called the Chinese “tough” negotiators, but said China’s pushback hasn’t stalled the talks. 

In seeking to restrict oil sales by Russia and Iran, a major source of revenue for both countries, the U.S. wants to reduce the funding available for their militaries, as Moscow pursues its war against Ukraine and Tehran funds militant groups across the Middle East. Read more. 

Of note:

South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham is pushing for sanctions and tariffs on Russia and its financial backers, introducing a bill that would authorize the president to impose tariffs as high as 500% not only on Russia but on any country that “knowingly” buys oil, uranium, natural gas, petroleum products or petrochemical products from Russia. Republicans say they stand ready to move on the sanctions legislation if Trump asks them to do so, but the bill is on hold for now.

Of note:

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he will begin trying to remove Democratic lawmakers from office Monday if they don’t return.