What product prices could tariffs affect?
President Trump's tariff plan may raise the cost of food, gas, pharmaceuticals and more


As a tax on imported goods, tariffs imposed by the U.S. may be intended to place a burden on other countries. But all too often, according to economists, American consumers will end up paying a price, too.
How does that figure? Well, "tariffs are paid by the domestic companies importing foreign goods and materials, and those companies tend to raise consumer prices to cover higher import costs," said NerdWallet. As an example of how much those incremental increases can add up, "an analysis by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation found that if the tariffs Trump threatened in recent days are imposed, it would amount to an average tax increase of more than $800 per U.S. household in 2025," said NPR.
While the future of President Trump's tariff plan remains uncertain, here is a forecast of some of the goods those added costs may get tacked onto.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Groceries
If Trump decides to move forward with the currently paused tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Americans could see the consequences at the supermarket. "Fresh produce, much of which is imported from Mexico, is one of the first categories where shoppers might notice an uptick in prices," said The New York Times. From Canada, the U.S. "imports a range of agricultural products from Canada, including meat and grains," which could push up prices there. Alcohol would likely not be exempt, either — "especially beer and tequila," said the Times.
Cars and gas
Automobiles, as well as their "parts and accessories," are a major import for the U.S., which means that depending on how tariffs pan out, in addition to new car purchases, "imported goods needed to maintain or repair vehicles also would get more expensive," said NerdWallet.
If tariffs on Canada end up happening, gas prices could also go up for consumers at the pump, with one expert projecting a "hike of 10 or 20 cents a gallon if there's a 10% tariff on Canadian crude," said NPR.
Electronics
"Consumer electronics often rely on components sourced from numerous countries, so tariffs on specific parts can raise overall retail prices," said Jodonnis Rodriguez, an associate professor of finance at Eastern Michigan University, to Fortune. In particular, "large appliances and household goods that depend on steel and aluminum could also see sharper price increases if the raw materials become more expensive," said Rodriguez.
Consumer electronic prices are also at risk: for everything "from cellphones and computers to video games, shoppers could see prices start to rise within a couple of months," said the Times.
Clothing and shoes
Consumers are also "likely to see higher prices on clothing, with about 30% of U.S. apparel coming from China," said NBC News. Depending on the brand, Trump's tariffs on China could cause clothing prices to rise as much as 2%," said the outlet, citing an estimate by Bloomberg Intelligence.
Plus, "with more than half of footwear sold in the United States coming from China," steeper shoe prices are likely as well, said NBC News.
Pharmaceuticals
Tariffs have the potential to "drive up drug prices," as "about half of generic drugs taken in the United States are made entirely overseas," said NBC News. Further, "China is increasingly playing a role in making those ingredients," according to data from United States Pharmacopeia, a "nonprofit group that focuses on the safety of the drug supply chain."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Becca Stanek has worked as an editor and writer in the personal finance space since 2017. She previously served as a deputy editor and later a managing editor overseeing investing and savings content at LendingTree and as an editor at the financial startup SmartAsset, where she focused on retirement- and financial-adviser-related content. Before that, Becca was a staff writer at The Week, primarily contributing to Speed Reads.
-
The UK's best fishing spots
The Week Recommends Beautiful British rivers and lakes for anglers of all levels
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK
-
The sneaky rise of whooping cough
Under the Radar The measles outbreak isn't the only one to worry about
By Theara Coleman, The Week US
-
7 nightlife destinations that are positively electric
The Week Recommends Accra, Seoul, Berlin: These are a few of the cities that come alive after dark
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
The pros and cons of online-only banks
the explainer You can get your finances in order without getting off your couch
By Becca Stanek, The Week US
-
Considering quitting your job? Here's what to do first.
The Explainer Your job likely comes with a number of financial strings attached
By Becca Stanek, The Week US
-
Do you owe taxes on sports betting wins?
the explainer If you gain wealth of any kind, you must pay taxes on it
By Becca Stanek, The Week US
-
3 tips to prepare in case of a recession
the explainer President Donald Trump admits a recession is possible amid his newly imposed tariffs
By Becca Stanek, The Week US
-
Income-driven repayment for student loans: how it works and alternatives
The explainer IDR can make a big difference in the affordability of federal student loan payments
By Becca Stanek, The Week US
-
What to know about the latest Social Security cost-of-living adjustment
The Explainer The COLA for 2025 marked the smallest increase in years, and benefit recipients are not happy
By Becca Stanek, The Week US
-
How to pay off student loans
The explainer Don't just settle for the default repayment plan
By Becca Stanek, The Week US
-
Do student loans affect a credit score?
the explainer Repaying loans on time will strengthen your credit — but paying late will hurt it
By Becca Stanek, The Week US