Everyday things, like food, phones, and home prices and accessibility, are going to be affected by President Donald Trump’s tariffs if they are imposed. Trump is planning to put a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada, and a 20% tariff on China, but has postponed them until April. Most of America’s fruits and vegetables come from Mexico, while most lumber is from Canada and electronics, cars, and many other items come from China. Trump had planned on instating these tariffs on March 3, 2025.
Approximately two-thirds of America’s vegetables come from Mexico, and over half of America’s fruits also come from Mexico, especially in the winter when the U.S. can’t produce its own fruits and vegetables and thus has to buy more produce from other countries like Mexico. Trump wants to impose a 25% tariff rate on Mexico which will increase prices of fruits and vegetables. Although prices will be up in the winter, they might go down by a little when the U.S. produces more of its own produce in other seasons. Mexico, to counteract Trump’s tariffs, is taking an approach, trying to get on America’s good side. Mexico has deployed 10,000 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to stop migrants and ship them far away from the border if caught. Not only is Mexico stopping migrants, but the country is also handing over cartel members to the US and accepting CIA information.
Not only are Trump’s new tariffs affecting products, like phones and produce, but they also will affect the American people. After Trump’s tariffs take effect, the long run Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will go down by 0.02 percent, meaning the cost of goods will decrease by a little. As a result of Trump’s tariffs, about 200,000 people will lose their jobs, and some will experience less pay and more budget cuts. The overall after tax income will go down by 0.6 percent, which might not seem like very much but that 0.6 can be the difference between getting by and homelessness.
Not only will the tariffs affect the consumers, but it will also arguably affect the businesses more. Businesses like Walmart have to import goods from different countries like Mexico and China. Some companies will choose to just take on the extra cost from tariffs, but most will decide to pass the extra cost down to the customers, increasing prices all around. The average American can expect to spend 1,600-2,000 more dollars a year. Not only will this affect large companies but also small family owned businesses who might struggle to buy their produce.
