Trump’s First Act As President Will Instantly Raise Prices For Consumers

You’ve certainly heard about Trump supporters furiously Googling the phrases “What are tariffs” and “Change my vote” post-election. This is because Trump’s first act as President will instantly raise prices for consumers despite promises he made during the campaign to lower prices. This will not surprise anyone who is even minutely familiar with tariffs, which are functionally an additional sales tax.

Trump announced on his soon-to-be-state-run media platform Truth Social that he plans to address “Crime and Drugs at levels never seen before” and the “Caravan” that shows up in right-wing rhetoric whenever the image of a large number of brown people pouring across the border is convenient by imposing tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada.

Walmart has warned that it will be forced to raise prices once Trump enacts his disastrous tariff plan. This is true for many if not most businesses, as our economy relies heavily on imports. And while Trump and his allies have lied repeatedly about grocery prices and Democrats’ impact on them, Trump’s tariffs will directly cause those to rise. We will also see price increases on furniture, electronics, and other important goods. Jeff Bezos, who “kissed the ring” by killing a Washington Post endorsement of Kamala Harris, will certainly love the impact Trump’s roughly 60 percent tariff on Chinese goods will have on Amazon.

“Prices are absolutely going to rise, because the added costs from increased tariffs will be paid by the consumer,” says Gabe Horwitz, senior vice president for Third Way. “And those price increases are going to be a lot harder for folks lower down on the income scale.”

Trump’s First Act As President Will Instantly Raise Prices For Consumers

“On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders,” Trump said on Truth Social. “This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!”

“I have had many talks with China about the massive amounts of drugs, in particular Fentanyl, being sent into the United States — But to no avail,” Trump wrote. “explaining that “we will be charging China an additional 10% Tariff, above any additional Tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America.”

The United States has never had zero illegal immigration and 86.4 percent of Fentanyl traffickers sentenced are United States citizens, but little things like that don’t matter to Trump, who wants to impose a regressive tax on the poorest Americans.

“Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem,” he continues. “We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!”

Mexico and Canada account for 30 percent of the United States’ trade volumes. Trump’s tariff plan is estimated to cost American consumers $78 billion each year they are in effect. NBC notes that a $50 pair of shoes will be $65 after Trump’s tariffs. A $2,000 mattress could cost $190 more. Dollar stores and other companies that rely heavily on cheap imported goods will be among the hardest-hit.

Unfortunately, we will soon find ourselves in the “find out” phase initiated by America’s dumbest and dullest.