General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsUS Companies, Consumers Are Paying for Trump's Tariffs, Not Foreign Firms
"Whos paying for Donald Trumps tariffs? So far, American businesses and consumers.
General Motors Co. was the latest US company to disclose how the levies are raising costs, with the automaker saying Tuesday that the duties dented profits by more than $1 billion as it chose to absorb the blow. That helps explain why car prices didnt rise in last weeks inflation data, while robust price increases for other commonly imported goods like toys and appliances showed those tariff expenses are being passed on to consumers.
Meanwhile, import prices excluding fuel were up notably in June, suggesting foreign companies arent shouldering the burden by offering US firms lower prices challenging the presidents claims that other countries pay the rate. Trump reiterated that characterization on Tuesday after a meeting with his counterpart in the Philippines, saying that country will pay a 19% Tariff in a post on social media.
While customs duties are giving a significant boost to US revenues, the data show that those coffers are being filled domestically.
The top-down macro evidence seems clear: Americans are mostly paying for the tariffs, George Saravelos, global head of FX research at Deutsche Bank AG, said in a note Tuesday. There is likely more pressure on US consumer prices in the pipeline.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-22/us-companies-and-consumers-are-paying-for-trump-s-tariffs?srnd=homepage-americas

Norrrm
(2,458 posts)"revenues" --- The tariffs are going great.... if you say it in a certain way.
Don't mention higher taxes or inflation or lost jobs.
Bernardo de La Paz
(57,204 posts)Tariffs will have (are beginning to have) a negative effect on US economic activity. Stellantis announced a loss and GM profits were reduced. Reduced profits mean reduced money for re-investment or for spending. Higher prices means fewer purchases by consumers. Retaliatory tariffs mean fewer exports which leads to lower profits and fewer jobs which means fewer purchases.
Duncanpup
(14,872 posts)It is a lost cause.
doc03
(38,158 posts)I believe it was Ratner that said later that the reporter was wrong saying the countries pay tariffs,
the consumers pay them. I have heard reporters do that several times on different reports, are they Trumpers or just
plain stupid? It's bad enough MAGAs think countries pay tariffs but someone calling themselves journalists should know
better.
newdeal2
(3,437 posts)I saw a CNN (I think) article the other day worded to say that Japan would be paying the tariff. I have to think they are mostly stupid because how would the US government collect a tariff from a foreign company?
Bernardo de La Paz
(57,204 posts)More or less. I don't think they can absorb the cost forever. Without the article it is hard to critique the journalist even if it is easy to call them "stupid".
newdeal2
(3,437 posts)They would have to absorb that reduction in their margins somehow or suffer as well.
Mr. Joe Steel
(10 posts)The reporters may understand the principles of journalism but they haven't got a grasp of economics. They should educate themselves before publishing.
Norrrm
(2,458 posts)My senior friend, over 78, was totally convinced by Fox that China paid those billion$ in tariffs.
(Trump's first four years)
travelingthrulife
(2,906 posts)Why am I so much smarter than these CEOs and CFOs?
Brainfodder
(7,535 posts)