The tariff policies of President Donald Trump have unleashed a new phase of international economic tensions that directly translate into higher prices for American consumers.
With the tightening of import tariffs, essential products such as coffee, non-perishable food, clothing, automobiles, and electronic devices are expected to see a significant increase in cost, as warned by economists, businesspeople, and industry associations.
A direct hit to the consumer's wallet
"These tariffs will raise prices for Americans in a way that will directly impact their daily lives,” warned Kimberly Clausing, a UCLA law professor and former economist at the Treasury Department, in statements to The Washington Post.
"For consumers, this will be the biggest tax increase they have faced in 50 years, in the form of price hikes," he added.
The new tariffs, which affect a wide range of imported products, not only represent a challenge for American companies but also impose an immediate burden on ordinary citizens.
“President Trump's broad global and 'reciprocal' tariffs are massive tax increases for Americans,” said Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, which includes giants like Apple and Samsung.
Non-perishable foods: Coffee in the spotlight
Although fresh fruits and vegetables often come from Mexico and Canada—still outside the focus of the new tariff wave—other more durable products are already seeing price increases in supermarkets.
These are products such as sugar, rice, canned soups, nuts, and especially coffee.
The case of coffee is paradigmatic.
About 100% of the coffee consumed in the U.S. is imported, with countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, and Papua New Guinea as the main suppliers.
"Once the tariffs come into effect, we will feel it immediately, literally the next day," warned Walter Haas, owner of Graffeo, a historic roaster from San Francisco.
"The tariffs will directly impact coffee prices, and if they remain in place, those costs will be permanently incorporated into the price consumers pay," he added.
The same is true for other products reliant on imported raw materials, such as vegan cheeses made from cashews from India and Brazil.
Dina DiCenso, co-owner of Rind, explained: “Our supplier has already warned of price increases of up to 25%.”
In addition, he pointed out that even locally sourced products face logistical issues: “If our delivery truck breaks down, guess what? The parts are either unavailable or more expensive to import. All of this affects us.”
Footwear and Clothing: A Storm for Retailers
One of the most vulnerable sectors to the new tariffs is that of clothing and footwear, especially due to the high taxes of 46% on products from Vietnam and 37% on those from Bangladesh.
"The average tariff on clothing, shoes, and accessories—essential items that every American needs to purchase—was already more than five times higher than that of other U.S. imports," explained Steve Lamar, president of the American Apparel and Footwear Association.
Retailers like Nike, H&M, Gap, Amazon, Target, and Walmart heavily rely on these countries to supply their inventories.
Although many had moved their production from China to other Asian countries to avoid previous tariffs, these destinations are now also affected by the new trade policy.
In addition, Trump has closed a legal loophole known as the "de minimis exception," which allowed Chinese companies like Shein and Temu to avoid tariffs if the value of the package was less than $800.
"Under the new regulations, those shipments from China will face tariffs of 30% of their value or $25 per item," announced the White House.
Automobiles: Prices on the rise in the short term
The automotive market is also among the sectors that will experience the most immediate consequences.
Car dealerships are already announcing that they will be raising the prices of the 2026 models, and they are increasing prices or eliminating services that were previously included, such as maintenance.
Popular brands like Toyota, Honda, and Subaru - with particularly low inventories - are already anticipating significant price increases for the summer.
"Let's start to see a price increase almost immediately," said Charlie Chesbrough, senior economist at Cox Automotive.
"Some of the most affordable vehicles, like compact SUVs, are manufactured overseas, making them the most vulnerable," he added.
Although almost half of the vehicles sold in the U.S. are imported, even those assembled within the country incorporate foreign parts.
Analysts estimate that car prices could rise by up to $6,000 per unit.
Technology: More expensive iPhones, consoles, and computers
The impact on electronic products will also be profound.
Until the beginning of Trump's administration, iPhones manufactured in China were not subject to tariffs.
Today, they face a tax of 54%, which could result in an increase of about 250 dollars for a device priced at 1,000 dollars.
Other products, such as televisions, laptops, smartwatches, and video game consoles, are also mostly imported.
Current inventories are expected to last between three and four months, so consumers may notice price increases during the back-to-school season and the summer holidays.
"Current retail inventories of consumer electronics in the U.S. could last three to four months," estimated Ed Brzytwa, vice president of international trade at the Consumer Technology Association.
"This means that tariffs would start to raise the prices of these products during the shopping season."
A trade war that is paid for at home
Although tariff policies are justified as a measure to protect the national industry, evidence shows that the real cost falls on consumers.
From the morning cup of coffee to the next smartphone, along with clothing and the family car, Donald Trump's trade war is expected to leave a deep impact on American wallets.
"To be clear, tariffs are taxes paid by American companies that import the products and by hardworking American families who purchase them,” concluded Steve Lamar.
And that cost, far from being theoretical, is already starting to be felt in the daily lives of millions of people.
Frequently asked questions about the impact of Trump's tariffs in the U.S.
What products will see a price increase due to Trump's tariffs?
Products such as coffee, non-perishable foods, clothing, automobiles, and electronic devices will see a price increase. These increases are due to the new tariffs affecting imports, which will directly impact costs for American consumers.
How will Trump's tariffs affect the U.S. economy?
Trump's tariffs could lead to an inflationary spike and slower economic growth. According to the Federal Reserve, these measures may raise prices and create economic uncertainty, impacting consumers and employment.
What impact will tariffs have on the U.S. automotive sector?
The automotive sector will experience a price increase of up to $6,000 per vehicle. This is due to the fact that many cars are imported or contain foreign parts, which means that tariffs directly affect their final cost.
How will other countries respond to the tariffs imposed by Trump?
Countries like Canada, China, and the European Union have announced retaliatory measures against the U.S. These countries plan to impose their own tariffs in response to Trump's trade policies, which could escalate international trade tensions.
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