"Since this president took office last year, his reckless trade policies have forced American families to pay more than $1,700 each in tariff costs. Spanberger's $1,700 figure is roughly in line with multiple estimates by groups that study the tariffs' effect. These groups, which represent diverse political ideologies, used different metrics to calculate the tariffs' cost to American households."
"Economists say tariff impacts are mostly passed on to consumers, similar to taxes. But because consumers don't spend as much on imports, tariffs don't affect all purchases equally. The Tax Foundation estimated that, in 2025, Trump tariffs contributed to an average tax increase of $1,000 per household, while Yale Budget Lab estimated an average income loss of about $1,700."
"The Supreme Court recently ruled that Trump cannot use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to levy tariffs on his own, as he had been doing. Trump reinstated a global 15% tariff after the decision, using other laws."
President Trump claimed his tariffs are saving the country, while Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger countered that tariffs have cost American families over $1,700 each since his presidency began. Multiple independent research organizations with varying political perspectives—including the Tax Foundation, Yale Budget Lab, and the National Taxpayers Union—provided estimates supporting Spanberger's figure. The Tax Foundation estimated a $1,000 average household tax increase, while Yale Budget Lab calculated approximately $1,700 in average income loss based on consumer prices. Economists explain that tariff costs are typically passed to consumers similarly to taxes, though impacts vary based on import consumption patterns. The Supreme Court recently ruled Trump cannot unilaterally impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, prompting him to reinstate tariffs using alternative legal authority.
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