US Workers Are Paying For Trump Tariffs

Washington D.C., USA - September 4 2019: Close-up waist-up portrait shot of Donald Trump speaking on the phone sitting in a chair in the Oval Office of the White House — Photo by Tennessee/Deposit Photos
Washington D.C., USA - September 4 2019: Close-up waist-up portrait shot of Donald Trump speaking on the phone sitting in a chair in the Oval Office of the White House — Photo by Tennessee/Deposit Photos
Washington D.C., USA - September 4 2019: Close-up waist-up portrait shot of Donald Trump speaking on the phone sitting in a chair in the Oval Office of the White House — Photo by Tennessee/Deposit Photos
Washington D.C., USA - September 4 2019: Close-up waist-up portrait shot of Donald Trump speaking on the phone sitting in a chair in the Oval Office of the White House — Photo by Tennessee/Deposit Photos
  • Manufacturing costs spike as firms absorb $55 billion in tariffs
  • Middle-market businesses brace for rising input costs across sectors
  • China trade deal remains unresolved despite 90-day extension

President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff push, designed to pressure China and promote American manufacturing, is now placing its greatest strain on the very sector it was meant to protect.

When Trump launched his tariff agenda in April, he promised “liberation” from unfair trade practices. But the reality for American manufacturers has been stark. As part of the trade war escalation, the United States imposed tariffs as high as 150% on Chinese imports, sparking concern across industries and exposing structural vulnerabilities.

A new report shows U.S. manufacturing is bearing the brunt of these tariffs, particularly in politically sensitive sectors such as vehicle production. “Manufacturing industries will face increased input costs imposed by the very tariff regime intended to boost their competitiveness,” said study author Christopher Bangert-Drowns. According to the analysis, 19 of the 25 most vulnerable U.S. economic subsectors are in manufacturing, with most facing cost hikes of between 2% and 4.5%.

That matters because nearly 13 million Americans work in manufacturing—about one in 10 U.S. workers. The pain is felt most acutely in Midwestern states like Wisconsin, Indiana, and Minnesota, where between 15% and 20% of jobs are in tariff-exposed industries.

Middle-market companies, typically defined as businesses with revenues between $10 million and $1 billion, import 21% of their goods from China and employ a third of the U.S. private workforce. JPMorgan analysts say these firms are particularly at risk if tariff relief is not secured soon.

While some hoped tariffs would be “reciprocal,” the result has been a growing financial strain. Importers have already paid more than $55 billion in extra costs this year. So far, they have absorbed the charges, but analysts warn that consumers will ultimately face higher prices as firms begin passing on the burden.

Even with public support early on—72% of respondents in a Bloomberg-Harris survey voiced concern about tariffs, but blamed businesses over policymakers—economic data is flashing red. The U.S. economy shrank by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2025, reversing from 2.4% growth the previous quarter, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The drop was attributed to businesses racing to import goods ahead of the tariffs and slowing consumer spending.

While deals have been reached with Japan and the European Union, China remains the largest unresolved front in the trade war. A 90-day extension to continue negotiations was recently granted, but the outcome remains uncertain.

“The high tariff costs could put pressure on many workers and their families in these politically important states,” warned Bangert-Drowns. That pressure could have electoral consequences, especially in battleground regions where slim margins have decided recent elections.

Leave a Comment

More in News

Fresh record for YANGWANG U9 Xtreme: now the fastest electric hypercar at the Nordschleife

The YANGWANG U9 Xtreme is already the fastest car on ...

Pink Corvette Stingray pace car to highlight “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” campaign

Chevrolet is showing its support in the continued fight against ...

Smooth Move: Toyota Alabama Starts Differential Production

Toyota Alabama started assembly of three cutting-edge differentials, engineered to ...

Stellantis to Invest $13 Billion to Grow in the United States

Stellantis announced today plans to invest $13 billion over the ...

Four hundred shades of Lamborghini

One of the most appreciated features among Automobili Lamborghini customers ...

Trending on Motoring Chronicle

Toyota is Set to Make Waves with the All-New 2026 TRD Pro Color [Photo Gallery]

Color can evoke strong emotions and can inspire our inner ...

Kia America Posts Eighth Consecutive Month of Year-Over-Year Sales Growth

Kia America delivered 79,007 total units in May – up ...
Los Angeles, California, USA, JUNE, 15, 2018: Rush hour with cars and generic vehicles - Traffic jam in Los Angeles downtown, real life transportation concept in Usa. — Photo by pxhidalgo

Does Turning Off the Engine at Lights Save Fuel?

Turning off your engine at lights for stops longer than ...

2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Debuts with Fresh Style Inside and Out [Photo Gallery]

The 2026 Corolla Cross is continuing to bring entry SUV ...

Timeless elegance and speed: a glimpse into the design process of the Bugatti Tourbillon [Photo Gallery]

In the second instalment of the storied marque’s ‘A New ...