Economics

Trump’s Tariffs: Guaranteed Price Hikes for Americans

Trump ‘can’t guarantee’ Americans won’t pay more if tariffs enacted. This statement, while seemingly simple, encapsulates a complex economic reality that many seem to be overlooking. The core issue is straightforward: tariffs, by their very nature, increase the cost of imported goods. This isn’t some debatable point; it’s a fundamental principle of how tariffs function.

Adding a tariff, essentially a tax on imported products, doesn’t magically disappear. The added cost isn’t absorbed by the seller, who’s already operating within their profit margin. It’s almost always passed on to the consumer, resulting in higher prices for everyday goods. This is true regardless of whether the ultimate goal is to boost domestic production.… Continue reading

Column: Trump and Vance are dead wrong — economists unanimously agree that U.S. tariffs are a tax on American consumers

I can’t wrap my head around how anyone could see tariffs as anything but a tax on American consumers. It’s common sense. When prices go up due to tariffs, it’s the American people who end up paying the difference. Companies like Walmart or Publix will simply raise their prices to maintain their profit margins, and who has to foot the bill? The middle and lower class citizens who are already struggling to make ends meet.

The fact that Trump and Vance are pushing this narrative that tariffs are somehow good for the economy is laughable. It’s not a legitimate policy idea up for debate among economists.… Continue reading