President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs announced on April 2, 2025, are already sending shockwaves through American wallets, with prices climbing on everything from avocados and apple juice to SUVs and steel beams. While aimed at boosting U.S. manufacturing and leveling the global trade playing field, the Trump tariffs are hitting everyday consumers where it hurts most—in the checkout line.
CBS News, using data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is tracking the weekly and monthly price movements of the most affected products. The early data show that these tariffs are beginning to work their way through the economy fast, with some of the steepest increases hitting groceries and vehicle-related costs.
Groceries: Daily Pain at the Supermarket
Few sectors feel the pressure of rising costs more acutely than the grocery aisle, especially for working families and fixed-income households.
The USDA’s latest surveys of weekly retail prices reveal troubling trends for imported produce. Many of America’s fruits and vegetables come from tariff-affected countries such as Mexico, Canada, and China—meaning the price hikes are already being passed on to consumers.
Here are some of the most affected grocery items, based on projected weekly price data:
- Apple juice (1 gallon) – Up from $6.50 to over $12.00
- Asparagus (per lb) – Jumped from $2.60 to $5.10
- Blueberries (6 oz) – Rose from $2.25 to $4.50
- Limes (each) – Increased from $0.40 to $0.78
- Papayas (per pound) – Climbed from $0.75 to $1.50
Even bananas—long one of the most stable grocery items—are seeing elevated prices due to rising transport and tariff costs. Experts say these increases are just the beginning, with tariffs filtering through supply chains and magnifying seasonal price spikes.
Vehicles: Ownership Costs on the Rise
The American auto market, still recovering from pandemic-era disruptions and inflation, is bracing for a new round of sticker shock. Trump’s tariffs target foreign-made cars and parts, driving up the cost of new and used vehicles, as well as ongoing expenses like repairs and insurance.
New Cars:
- A small SUV that cost $30,000 now averages over $36,000, a 20%+ increase.
Used Cars:
- A comparable used SUV priced at $20,000 would now fetch nearly $27,000.
Auto Parts:
- A $500 repair part now costs approximately $615.
Repair Bills:
- A $2,000 accident repair would cost about $2,800 today.
Insurance Premiums:
- A $100 monthly premium now averages $120 or more, with further increases expected.
In total, owning and operating a car in America is quickly becoming more expensive, with experts warning of lasting affordability challenges—particularly for lower-income drivers and rural communities reliant on personal vehicles.
Appliances & Electronics: Prepare to Pay More
While pricing data is still catching up in the retail appliance and electronics sectors, analysts already warn that the tariffs could drive substantial increases. According to estimates from the Consumer Technology Association, prices for laptops and tablets may rise by as much as 68% under current tariff rules.
Items likely to see notable increases:
- Washing machines
- Refrigerators
- Microwaves
- Smartphones
- Laptops & tablets
Retailers are advising customers who’ve been waiting to upgrade electronics or kitchen appliances to act soon before prices rise further this summer.
Construction & Manufacturing: Materials Costs Soar
Trump’s tariffs aren’t just targeting consumer goods—they’re hitting industrial inputs as well. Cost indices for core construction materials project significant price escalation:
- Milled Steel – Prices up nearly 5x
- Aluminum – Up over 300% from baseline
- Drywall & Concrete – Both showing high double-digit inflation over the past three years
- Lumber – The increase in lumber prices is already inflating costs for construction projects, with one example of a building materials supplier facing a $30,000 increase in costs for a project due to the tariffs.
These increases ripple through housing markets, infrastructure projects, and the manufacturing sector, threatening to stifle growth and raise costs for everything from homes to HVAC systems.
Summary: Sector-by-Sector Breakdown of Price Hikes
| Sector | Item | % or $ Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | Apple Juice (1 gal) | +85% |
| Blueberries (6 oz) | +100% | |
| Asparagus (per lb) | +96% | |
| Vehicles | New SUV | +$6,000 |
| Used SUV | +$7,000 | |
| Auto Repairs | +$800 per $2,000 repair | |
| Insurance | Monthly premium | +20% |
| Electronics | Laptops/Tablets | +46–68% (projected) |
| Construction | Milled Steel | +400–500% |
| Aluminum | +300% |
Looking Ahead: More Pain to Come?
Economists agree: the worst of the tariff-related inflation may not be behind us. As the supply chain adjusts and companies absorb new import costs, further price increases could roll out over the coming months.
White House officials argue the tariffs are necessary to protect American jobs and industries, but critics say they act as a hidden tax on consumers. The coming months will be critical as price data continues to roll in and the 2025 economy adjusts to a new, more protectionist reality.
In the meantime, Americans are advised to shop smart, watch prices closely, and prepare for a summer of higher costs—from produce to pickup trucks.
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