With Trump's return to the political arena casting a shadow of tariffs and economic uncertainty, Americans, under the pressure of tightening their belts, have begun to unexpectedly stockpile a common food—canned fish. This seemingly inconspicuous item is not only stirring conversations on social media but has also unexpectedly become an alternative indicator for observing consumer economics.

Recently, the hashtag “canned fish” on TikTok has surpassed 91 billion views. CBS reporter Hazel points out that this trend began to surface during the pandemic and has now gained momentum again amid weak economic data. According to Google statistics, searches for “olive oil sardines” have surged by 4000% in the past 90 days, indicating a significant rise in consumer demand for inexpensive, long-lasting, and nutritious foods.

In tasting videos, users rave about the rich quality of sardines and how tender the bones are, emphasizing that “this is a simple way to really feel like you’re eating fish,” breaking the stereotype that canned fish tastes unappetizing as portrayed in films.

Experts analyze that when people feel economic pressure, they naturally gravitate towards affordable and easy-to-store foods, and canned fish fits these criteria perfectly. Furthermore, this phenomenon is likened to the past “lipstick effect”: during economic downturns, people tend to buy inexpensive items that provide comfort. As former Federal Reserve Chairman Greenspan pointed out, sales of men’s underwear are also critical economic indicators, as men tend to postpone replacing their undergarments during downturns, reflecting reduced consumer spending.

According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor, for the week ending May 10, both initial and ongoing unemployment claims have risen, showing that companies are cautious about hiring and that it takes longer for workers to return to the job market. In this environment, canned fish has become a symbol of “survival food” under economic pressure, reflecting changes in consumer habits and becoming the focus of a new wave of social media trends.