America's Views on Trump’s Tariffs

  What are tariffs and how do they affect Americans in the long-run? On March 4 of 2025, Trump announced a 25% tax addition on imports from Canada and Mexico, while a 10% tariffs would be implemented for Chinese goods. Tariffs are referred to the tax applied to imported goods from other countries, which could raise revenue. However, whether it is a ‘good policy’ has been debated over the years as it has its negative effects as well. To people who are living in the U.S., how do they perceive the tariffs and how will they be affected?

 

 According to the University of Chicago, the implementation of tariffs results in higher prices for consumers to pay for goods. Large portions of foods and toys are imported from overseas countries like China and Mexico, and thus could lead to less spending. As goods take up a higher proportion of their income, families would need to distribute their money to prioritise necessity items. Tariffs will heavily affect the American economy, primarily the construction industry, through the ripple effect of increased prices for their raw materials such as steel and lumber. The projects’ budgets increase by a few % of their initial price, and delays in its completion date. 

 

 D. N. is an American residing in the heart of New York City. As a democrat, she has continued to oppose Trump’s presidency over the years. “I hope the US government can stop this insanity.,” she says. “He’s not thinking straight. The 25% was a shocker to me, but it’s hard to determine if the prices are going up since they’ve been increasing steadily.”

 

“Personally, I’m confused about his actions for the tariffs. He’s saying that it’ll improve the American economy and push people to buy only U.S. manufactured goods, but most businesses would probably push the raised costs onto the consumers.”

 

 Due to this issue, the stock market has globally begun to decline at an alarming rate, repeating a similar pattern to when the world stopped to a halt in 2020.  (image from New York Times)

 

 

 

“It’s pretty chaotic here in New York“ claims another American living in New York state. She is a teenager who has witnessed the shifts in the political atmosphere in the U.S.  ever since Trump’s inauguration. “There’s been protests in the city that’s been organized to show resistance against Trump. Everyone is frustrated.” 

 

“The tariffs won’t affect me too much since I’m not an adult yet, but prices of stuff are already pricey here and we don’t need them to increase more.”

 

 With new events sprouting left and right on the matter and Trump implementing decisions one after another, people are weary of trade relationship complications between the U.S. and surrounding countries. China joined by South Korea and Japan are collectively planning a response to the tariffs, while Canada imposed a 25% tariff as a counter measurement on March 13th. What will President Trump do to resolve the situation?