In April, US President Donald Trump announced major changes to US tariffs, which are extra levies that companies must pay when they bring goods into the country. Since then, some of the US’s most important trading partners, like the UK, Japan, and the EU, have been able to get these high tariffs lowered.
For example, the European Union’s most recent deal cut the 30% tariff that was first threatened in half. But other countries are not so lucky. Canada, in particular, is now paying a lot more in import charges. After the deadline of August 1, the tariff rates went up to 35%.
President Trump has justified the US tariffs policy, saying, “These new measures will bring billions of dollars in revenue and bring manufacturing jobs back to the US by making it less likely for companies to rely on foreign suppliers.”
But early evidence points to the fact that the government may be making more money, but American consumers are starting to feel the squeeze. Economists say that the full effects of these taxes on ordinary items are still being felt. People are starting to notice that the prices of things they buy every day, such as clothes, food, technology, and household goods, are going up.
What products are going to cost American buyers extra because of US tariffs?
Clothes and shoes are at the top of the list. Most of the things that are sold in the US are made in other nations, like Vietnam, China, and Bangladesh. Even though President Trump has backed down from the maximum tariffs he first suggested, the levies on goods coming from these countries are still very high.
Imports from China are currently taxed at 30%. Starting on August 1, commodities from Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Indonesia will also have import duties of about 19–20%. These price hikes are already putting pressure on big US stores like Walmart and Target, which depend on cheap suppliers from other countries.
Big names like Levi Strauss and Nike have also said that they will have to pass on the extra costs to customers. Recent government data reveal that clothing costs were up 0.4% from May to June, after falling for months.
The Budget Lab at Yale says that garment prices are going to go up by a shocking 37% shortly. “This isn’t just a problem for stores; it’s a crisis for consumers that is about to happen,” said a Yale economist who worked on the study.
Footwear companies have also spoken out about their worries. Parts from many different countries are used to make a lot of shoes. Any problems or price increases along that chain can get worse. Families with kids will probably be the hardest hit when prices go up because they require new shoes every few months.
Will the new US tariff measures also make food prices go up?
Yes, and in a lot of cases, they already have. For example, much of the coffee we drink comes from other countries. Brazilian beans are now taxed at 50%, and Vietnamese coffee is taxed at 20%. This will undoubtedly affect American coffee buyers’ wallets shortly.
Also, because there is a 15% duty on agricultural imports from the EU, kitchen basics like olive oil from Italy, Spain, and Greece are going to cost more.
Trump has also raised the duties on items coming from Mexico, which is a major source of avocados and tomatoes. There have been occasional exceptions, but in general, food prices are going to go up.
The Yale Budget Lab says that food costs will go up by 3.4% in the short term, with fresh fruits and vegetables likely to suffer the biggest hikes. The research said, “This will hit lower-income families the hardest, especially those who depend on fresh food markets.”
Also, US farmers are feeling the effects from the other side as well. American-grown food may not be as popular in other nations as it used to be, since they are putting tariffs on American agricultural exports. This could drive farmers to boost prices at home to make up for missed sales abroad. Read another article on Trump Tariff Threat Over Border Issues
Are US tariff plans going to make alcohol more expensive?
It could be. The US is one of the biggest places where European alcohol is shipped. Pernod Ricard and LVMH are two brands that send about €9 billion worth of alcohol to the US every year. The country also sends out about a third of all Irish whiskey and almost 18% of all champagne.
The European Commission has not yet said if alcohol is included in the tariff exemption deal it just made with the US. There is still a lot of uncertainty among both customers and distributors.
At the same time, beer imports from Mexico, such as Modelo and Corona, are seeing indirect price increases because of higher duties on aluminum. The Beer Institute says that 64.1% of beer sold in the US is in cans. The price of beer is predicted to go up since the price of aluminum is going up.
Craft brewers are also under a lot of stress. A lot of people use aluminum cans and hops from other countries. As the cost of raw materials goes up, smaller brewers may have to either raise prices or make less beer.
Could US tariffs cause house prices to go up?
They are already. Earlier this year, President Trump boosted taxes on steel and aluminum, which made steel prices in the US go up. Starting on August 1, there will be a new 50% tax on copper. The government has also signaled that it would put duties on lumber.
In the United States, where wood-frame houses are common, these materials are very important for building homes. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has strongly opposed the tariffs, saying, “Consumers end up paying for the tariffs in the form of higher home prices.”
America’s major source of lumber is Canada. If trade issues with Canada are resolved, things might become better. Canada has to pay tariffs of up to 35% right now.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce says that Canada sends the US 69% of its lumber, 25% of its iron and steel, and 18% of its copper. If trade relations break down, construction prices might skyrocket, delaying new projects and making the housing need worse.
The repercussions are already being felt by homebuyers. Builders are raising the prices of their listings to cover the extra costs. People who are buying a home for the first time may find that places they thought were reasonable are now too expensive.
Will US tariff policies have an effect on the pricing of energy and fuel?
Maybe. As part of a transition away from Russian energy sources, a new pact with the European Union will lead to more European purchases of American energy, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), oil, and nuclear fuels.
Most oil and gas imports are not subject to US tariffs, but Canada, which is America’s biggest oil supplier, has to pay a 10% export levy. From January to November 2024, Canada sent 61% of the oil that the US bought.
Even though the US has a lot of oil at home, its refineries are mostly geared to process heavier crude oil. Most of this oil originates from Canada and, to a lesser extent, Mexico.
A representative from the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers said, “Many refineries need heavier crude oil to make gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel as flexible as possible.”
If Canada strikes back or cuts back on its oil shipments, the price of fuel in the US might go up swiftly. Gas prices are already unstable, so this extra pressure could be quite important.
Higher gas prices influence everything, from getting to work to getting groceries delivered. Trucking companies might hike the cost of shipping, which might make prices in stores go up even more.
Conclusion: Are the US’s tariff policies good for or bad for the economy?
President Trump says that US tariffs are a vital way to fix the balance of trade across the world and bring back American industry. But critics say that regular Americans are paying for the expenditures by having to pay more for common things.
The new tariffs are affecting almost every part of daily life, from clothes and coffee to beer and homes. And even while some allies have worked out exemptions, many important trading partners still have to pay these high fees.
“We’re in a situation where the policy’s economic pain is much more immediate and widespread than any long-term gain,” said one economist. Now the question is: how long can American shoppers put up with it?
Only time will tell if these tariffs will help make more things in the US. For now, American families are getting ready for a future that will cost more.
