From Groceries to Cars, Tariffs Could Raise Prices for U.S. Consumers

President Trump’s tariffs target countries that are major suppliers of a wide range of goods to the United States.

For American families, the likely result is higher prices nearly everywhere they turn — in grocery aisles, at car dealerships, at electronics stores and at the pump.

On Tuesday, new levies on goods imported from Mexico, Canada and China went into effect, according to executive orders issued by the Trump administration.

• All products coming from China are subject to a 20 percent tax, up from 10 percent.
• All goods imported from Mexico and most goods from Canada are subject to a 25 percent tariff. These tariffs were originally set to take effect at the start of February, but Mr. Trump delayed them by a month.
• Canadian energy products will face a lower 10 percent tariff.

Moments after Mr. Trump’s tariffs went into effect, China’s finance ministry placed 15 percent tariffs on imports of chicken, wheat, corn and cotton from the United States and 10 percent tariffs on imports of other agricultural products. Canada imposed 25 percent tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods, but it did not specify which products would be affected. President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico is expected to address the issue at a news conference on Tuesday morning.

The swift retaliation by China, Canada and Mexico might not directly affect U.S. consumer prices, but is expected to hurt farmers, manufacturers and other American companies.