Tariffs Are Driving Up Your Grocery Bill, Back-to-School List, and More

It’s not your imagination, your grocery bill, your kid’s backpack, and your new sneakers really are getting more expensive. New federal tariffs have added billions in taxes to the everyday goods Americans buy.

According to a U.S. Chamber analysis of Census Bureau trade data, between May and June 2025 alone, tariffs on imported goods generated huge revenue spikes for the federal government, and bigger bills for the people who ultimately pay them: consumers.

• Imported meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, coffee, and tea once carried average tariffs under 2%. Now, the average is nearly 7%, adding $1.9 billion in new taxes in just two months.

• School supplies such as backpacks, pens, pencils, and paper jumped from 5% to 18%, adding $73 million in new taxes, just in time for back-to-school shopping.

• Clothing and shoes increased dramatically from 14% to more than 25%, adding another $1.9 billion in new taxes.

As of August 7, 2025, the U.S. tariff landscape has shifted dramatically:

• 15%–50% tariffs on 65 of the nation’s largest trading partners; 10% on nearly all others.

• Canada and Mexico partly shielded under USMCA, but certain imports face 35% and 25% tariffs.

• Chinese goods now average 55% tariffs; Brazil, 50%; India, 25% (set to rise to 50% by month’s end).

• Steel and aluminum: 50%; autos and many auto parts: 25%.

WY It Matters

While tariffs can protect domestic industries, they’re also increasing costs for consumers and small businesses, especially here in Wyoming. Price hikes are rippling through supply chains, making it more expensive to put food on the table, stock store shelves, and keep local businesses running.