The Truth about Tariffs

[Dekster]

Yeah, pretty much what I do.

We travel overseas regularly and sometimes I have just encountered brands that I really like that I try to stick with that I could get cheaper from overseas--like British HP sauce/colman condiments-- or get higher quality like several things I have ordered from Asia that just aren't common in my area. Some of the import food places charge such high shipping and handling that I could have things sent from half way around the world for less. Well, until now....

 

[task0778]

We travel overseas regularly and sometimes I have just encountered brands that I really like that I try to stick with that I could get cheaper from overseas--like British HP sauce/colman condiments-- or get higher quality like several things I have ordered from Asia that just aren't common in my area. Some of the import food places charge such high shipping and handling that I could have things sent from half way around the world for less. Well, until now....

The last time I traveled overseas was 40 years ago and I was on active duty. Foreign foodstuffs were just so damn good no matter where you went (we were in Europe). Nowadays I'm stuck with generic brands.

 

[TruthSeeker112125]

Tariffs punish importers, dealers, and consumers of imported goods. However, many imports are still cheaper even with the tariffs.

Here's an example of the "Tarriffs", as well as Our Failing Economy.

Not many years ago, I could buy a 250ft roll of 12-2 NM Wire for $32.00 .

Yesterday, at a Supply House that same Wire is $200.00

The prices that I've been given on Sheet Metal, PVC Piping, Copper Line sets, etc., as well as Lumber has quadrupled!

At the Grocery store, I used to be able to buy a can of Campbells Tomato Soup for .29. That price also has at least quadrupled if not gone higher! Also at the Grocery Store, I "Bitched" when Ground Chuck Hamburger was $2.49,..... It's now $7.00 a pound!

The Economy is Booming for the 'Elites", as well as the "Military/Industrial Complex", and those deeply involved in the Stock Markets, & AI,...... Not for the Middle Class, & Working Poor!

And once Trump has Totally Pissed off many of Our Allies, & "The BRICS Nations" release their Gold & Commodities backed Currency, well,....... THINK:

"The Great Depression", as well as what followed after it.

 

[Woodznutz]

Here's an example of the "Tarriffs", as well as Our Failing Economy.

Not many years ago, I could buy a 250ft roll of 12-2 NM Wire for $32.00 .

Yesterday, at a Supply House that same Wire is $200.00

The prices that I've been given on Sheet Metal, PVC Piping, Copper Line sets, etc., as well as Lumber has quadrupled!

At the Grocery store, I used to be able to buy a can of Campbells Tomato Soup for .29. That price also has at least quadrupled if not gone higher! Also at the Grocery Store, I "Bitched" when Ground Chuck Hamburger was $2.49,..... It's now $7.00 a pound!

The Economy is Booming for the 'Elites", as well as the "Military/Industrial Complex", and those deeply involved in the Stock Markets, & AI,...... Not for the Middle Class, & Working Poor!

And once Trump has Totally Pissed off many of Our Allies, & "The BRICS Nations" release their Gold & Commodities backed Currency, well,....... THINK:

"The Great Depression", as well as what followed after it.

I think that copper prices went up before the tariffs. China was buying up all the copper.

 

[sealybobo]

Let's square a few circles here.

1. Tariff revenue has been approximated to be around $180 billion for FY 2025. Some might say a bit more while others a bit less, but either way when your national debt in now $38 Trillion then that revenue doesn't move the needle much.
   
   
2. So far, prices have not dramatically increased because importers built up their inventories prior to the tariff implementation and managed to spread the tariff costs around to non-tariff things and ate most of the rest. But that's going to change in 2026 unless those tariffs are diminished, delayed, or dropped.
   
   
3. 2026 is obviously an election year, and I would not be surprised if inflation starts rising then. Trump will mitigate it by lowering the tariff hit on US businesses and consumers. He's going to claim success, citing how many countries have changed their tariffs on our exports, but most of that will not change the fact that US exports are more expensive in most places that domestic stuff. And our Balance of Trade deficit will return to what it used to be.
   
   
4. Let's not kid ourselves, eventually tariff hikes end up being paid for by US importers, businesses, and consumers. Deny it all you want to, but that has been the reality before and will be the reality going forward. It is laughable that Trump would claim foreign exporters will pay it; some might but most won't. They will find ways around the tariffs or they'll find other buyers. Or their gov't will hit US products in retaliation.
   
   
5. Past presidents in both parties have tried tariffs before but the result are always the same. You get a temporary gain in the Balance of Trade and the tariffs are reduced or rescinded and then it returns to what it was before. It is populist in nature, most economists do not see tariffs or any other protectionist measure as being successful in the long run.

My brother tried to say prices aren't up. He just purchased a couch from Italy. I showed him that there is AT LEAST a 15% tariff on couches from Italy. They may have ate the price increase last year but they will gradually be raising their prices and so will everyone else.

Italy's Natuzzi sees 2025 US revenues 20% below target amid tariff impact, weak dollar​

I also see

Tariffs have significantly impacted Natuzzi by causing a temporary slump in U.S. sales, pressuring revenues and margins, and forcing a major restructuring of its supply chain. The company has responded by adjusting prices and shifting production to mitigate the effects of the trade tensions.

• Price Increases: To counteract the added costs, Natuzzi raised consumer prices in the U.S. by 5-6% in its directly managed stores and up to 15% through other retailers.

 

[Mashmont]

Let's square a few circles here.

1. Tariff revenue has been approximated to be around $180 billion for FY 2025. Some might say a bit more while others a bit less, but either way when your national debt in now $38 Trillion then that revenue doesn't move the needle much.
   
   
2. So far, prices have not dramatically increased because importers built up their inventories prior to the tariff implementation and managed to spread the tariff costs around to non-tariff things and ate most of the rest. But that's going to change in 2026 unless those tariffs are diminished, delayed, or dropped.
   
   
3. 2026 is obviously an election year, and I would not be surprised if inflation starts rising then. Trump will mitigate it by lowering the tariff hit on US businesses and consumers. He's going to claim success, citing how many countries have changed their tariffs on our exports, but most of that will not change the fact that US exports are more expensive in most places that domestic stuff. And our Balance of Trade deficit will return to what it used to be.
   
   
4. Let's not kid ourselves, eventually tariff hikes end up being paid for by US importers, businesses, and consumers. Deny it all you want to, but that has been the reality before and will be the reality going forward. It is laughable that Trump would claim foreign exporters will pay it; some might but most won't. They will find ways around the tariffs or they'll find other buyers. Or their gov't will hit US products in retaliation.
   
   
5. Past presidents in both parties have tried tariffs before but the result are always the same. You get a temporary gain in the Balance of Trade and the tariffs are reduced or rescinded and then it returns to what it was before. It is populist in nature, most economists do not see tariffs or any other protectionist measure as being successful in the long run.

Tariffs were $287 billion, over a quarter trillion, which is a huge amount of revenue, especially given that they have been in place only a few months. 2026 will see closer to $1 trillion. A large offset to expenditures. And leftwing “economists” are already wrong about their inflationary effects.

Just admit it. Trump is the greatest economics mind in the world. He’s been right every time.

 

[Mashmont]

My brother tried to say prices aren't up. He just purchased a couch from Italy. I showed him that there is AT LEAST a 15% tariff on couches from Italy. They may have ate the price increase last year but they will gradually be raising their prices and so will everyone else.

Italy's Natuzzi sees 2025 US revenues 20% below target amid tariff impact, weak dollar​

I also see

Tariffs have significantly impacted Natuzzi by causing a temporary slump in U.S. sales, pressuring revenues and margins, and forcing a major restructuring of its supply chain. The company has responded by adjusting prices and shifting production to mitigate the effects of the trade tensions.

• Price Increases: To counteract the added costs, Natuzzi raised consumer prices in the U.S. by 5-6% in its directly managed stores and up to 15% through other retailers.

Just read what you wrote. Natuzzi raised prices, and sales have slumped. Derp. They did the exact wrong thing. Leftwing geniuses. The Mamdani School of Business at work here.

 

[task0778]

Tariffs were $287 billion, over a quarter trillion, which is a huge amount of revenue, especially given that they have been in place only a few months. 2026 will see closer to $1 trillion. A large offset to expenditures. And leftwing “economists” are already wrong about their inflationary effects.

Just admit it. Trump is the greatest economics mind in the world. He’s been right every time.

First, we were initially told the total revenue increase in 2025 would be about $500 billion, which obviously it wasn't. Second, all year long we have seen delays, changes, new tariffs and old ones disappearing to the point where it's tough for small businesses to plan ahead, and that ain't good for them. So, they ain't hiring many people or making plans to expand or otherwise do anything else except hunker down and try to stay afloat. And many of them didn't make it. Third, initial inflation worries were based on the original premise of $500 billion, which primarily came out of consumers and import businesses and into the gov't coffers. Had the tariffs not been reduced then inflation would have been worse than it was; economists are not wrong when they predict inflation based on the original number that never happened.

We were told that manufacturing would make a comeback and we'd see more manufacturing jobs, right? Well, where are they? Instead, employment manufacturing numbers show a decrease in jobs, so WTF? OK, fine, let's see what happens in 2026 and beyond before we determine how good Trump's economic policies turned out to be.

 

[Woodznutz]

Tariffs can be a two-edge sword regarding prices. My coffee price rose well above usual and sales fell resulting in actual lower sale prices. I stocked up. Yesterday prices were back up again, so I passed. I'm still drinking the coffee I bought at low cost.

I was also perusing prices on certain furniture and found 'fire sales' all over the place, likely due to a backlog of inventory due to tariff driven higher prices.

 

[schmidlap]

Let's square a few circles here.

1. Tariff revenue has been approximated to be around $180 billion for FY 2025. Some might say a bit more while others a bit less, but either way when your national debt in now $38 Trillion then that revenue doesn't move the needle much.
   
   
2. So far, prices have not dramatically increased because importers built up their inventories prior to the tariff implementation and managed to spread the tariff costs around to non-tariff things and ate most of the rest. But that's going to change in 2026 unless those tariffs are diminished, delayed, or dropped.
   
   
3. 2026 is obviously an election year, and I would not be surprised if inflation starts rising then. Trump will mitigate it by lowering the tariff hit on US businesses and consumers. He's going to claim success, citing how many countries have changed their tariffs on our exports, but most of that will not change the fact that US exports are more expensive in most places that domestic stuff. And our Balance of Trade deficit will return to what it used to be.
   
   
4. Let's not kid ourselves, eventually tariff hikes end up being paid for by US importers, businesses, and consumers. Deny it all you want to, but that has been the reality before and will be the reality going forward. It is laughable that Trump would claim foreign exporters will pay it; some might but most won't. They will find ways around the tariffs or they'll find other buyers. Or their gov't will hit US products in retaliation.
   
   
5. Past presidents in both parties have tried tariffs before but the result are always the same. You get a temporary gain in the Balance of Trade and the tariffs are reduced or rescinded and then it returns to what it was before. It is populist in nature, most economists do not see tariffs or any other protectionist measure as being successful in the long run.

As predicted,

A year in, it’s official:
Americans, not foreigners, are paying for Trump’s tariffs​

 

[Hafar1014]

As predicted,

A year in, it’s official:
Americans, not foreigners, are paying for Trump’s tariffs​

https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/12/business/trump-tariffs-consumers-nightcap

The economy is thriving and tariffs are helping. The deficit has been reduced to 1.7 trillion. Every month the economy gets stronger. Private jobs grow and government jobs shrink

 

[Woodznutz]

As predicted,

A year in, it’s official:
Americans, not foreigners, are paying for Trump’s tariffs​

That's what we get for buying imports.

 

[schmidlap]

The economy is thriving and tariffs are helping. The deficit has been reduced to 1.7 trillion. Every month the economy gets stronger. Private jobs grow and government jobs shrink

Americans are not falling for it.

President Trump Approval - Economy | RealClearPolling

President Trump Approval - Economy | RealClearPolling

www.realclearpolling.com

 

[Hafar1014]

Americans are not falling for it.

President Trump Approval - Economy | RealClearPolling

President Trump Approval - Economy | RealClearPolling

www.realclearpolling.com

Give it some time and the tax cuts will kick in. Polls haev never been right

 

[schmidlap]

Give it some time and the tax cuts will kick in. Polls haev never been right

A consensus of polls is usually right.

Give it some time - less than nine months.

 

[Hollie]

Let's square a few circles here.

1. Tariff revenue has been approximated to be around $180 billion for FY 2025. Some might say a bit more while others a bit less, but either way when your national debt in now $38 Trillion then that revenue doesn't move the needle much.
   
   
2. So far, prices have not dramatically increased because importers built up their inventories prior to the tariff implementation and managed to spread the tariff costs around to non-tariff things and ate most of the rest. But that's going to change in 2026 unless those tariffs are diminished, delayed, or dropped.
   
   
3. 2026 is obviously an election year, and I would not be surprised if inflation starts rising then. Trump will mitigate it by lowering the tariff hit on US businesses and consumers. He's going to claim success, citing how many countries have changed their tariffs on our exports, but most of that will not change the fact that US exports are more expensive in most places that domestic stuff. And our Balance of Trade deficit will return to what it used to be.
   
   
4. Let's not kid ourselves, eventually tariff hikes end up being paid for by US importers, businesses, and consumers. Deny it all you want to, but that has been the reality before and will be the reality going forward. It is laughable that Trump would claim foreign exporters will pay it; some might but most won't. They will find ways around the tariffs or they'll find other buyers. Or their gov't will hit US products in retaliation.
   
   
5. Past presidents in both parties have tried tariffs before but the result are always the same. You get a temporary gain in the Balance of Trade and the tariffs are reduced or rescinded and then it returns to what it was before. It is populist in nature, most economists do not see tariffs or any other protectionist measure as being successful in the long run.

Let’s do more than democrats who choose to sit on their thumbs while the Europenises continue to exploit WW2 era tariffs that were designed to assist their rebuilding of economies with the US taking a hit.

 

[Hollie]

A consensus of polls is usually right.

Give it some time - less than nine months.

The polls didn’t help cackles Harris.

 

[task0778]

Let’s do more than democrats who choose to sit on their thumbs while the Europenises continue to exploit WW2 era tariffs that were designed to assist their rebuilding of economies with the US taking a hit.

I'm okay with that, but I think Trump went too far and too fast with his tariffs. I would not be surprised if the Supreme Court reins him in a little. I guess he has already gotten some countries to pull back on their tariffs on us and that's good, but I believe our tariffs hit the lower income people the hardest. And I'm not sure our exports will be well received elsewhere even though the prices might be somewhat lower.

 

[schmidlap]

The polls didn’t help cackles Harris.

Attempted diversion noted.

Tariffs are legally paid by importers to the government, but economically, the cost is mostly passed on to consumers and domestic businesses.

Affordability Concerns: Many Americans are frustrated with the impact of tariffs on their ability to afford goods and services, with a notable percentage expressing dissatisfaction with the affordability of these tariffs.

Economic Impact: A significant portion of the public believes that tariffs are harming the economy, with many voters expressing opposition to the tariffs implemented by the Trump administration.

 

[Hollie]

Attempted diversion noted.

Tariffs are legally paid by importers to the government, but economically, the cost is mostly passed on to consumers and domestic businesses.

Affordability Concerns: Many Americans are frustrated with the impact of tariffs on their ability to afford goods and services, with a notable percentage expressing dissatisfaction with the affordability of these tariffs.

Economic Impact: A significant portion of the public believes that tariffs are harming the economy, with many voters expressing opposition to the tariffs implemented by the Trump administration.

Cowardly retreat noted.