How Trump’s Trade War Could Impact Your April Shopping
Written by
John Schmoll
Edited by
Amen Oyiboke
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Tariffs have dominated the headlines for weeks since President Trump re-entered the White House. Trump has promised further reciprocal tariffs set to begin on April 3.
Increased duties have the possibility of directly impacting Americans’ budgets in various ways. Here’s how Trump’s trade war could affect your shopping in April.
Groceries
Buying groceries has been particularly painful for many Americans. At-home food prices increased by 1.9% year-over-year in February 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Given the 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods, food costs could increase in April as Americans heavily depend on Mexican and Canadian imports. In 2023, Mexico provided 63% of vegetable imports and 47% of fruit and nut imports, according to the USDA.
The agency reports that the United States is Canada’s largest purchaser of agricultural products. Impacted products range from fruits and vegetables to various protein-based foods. This will result in an increase of at least 7.2% on vegetables, fruits and nuts alone, according to the Budget Lab at Yale.
Consumer Electronics
Americans planning on purchasing a new electronic device in April may feel sticker shock. This is largely due to the 20% tariff on imported Chinese goods, much of which is consumer electronics.
Impacted products range from televisions and video gaming systems to phones and computers. Americans can expect prices on impacted products to increase by 11%, according to the U.S. House Joint Economic Committee.
Automobiles
Buying a car could become costlier in April, with the anticipated 25% tariff on foreign-made cars. Pricing impact could occur quickly, likely within the month, according to the Anderson Economic Group. The organization anticipates price spikes between $4,000 and $12,000 on most cars.
Used cars aren’t immune either, as demand could drive consumers to used automobiles, causing a price increase. Even if you’re not in the market to purchase, owning a car may become more expensive, thanks to increased repair and insurance costs resulting from the tariffs.
Wine
Wine aficionados, take notice. You should expect to pay more for that wine from France or Italy in April. This is thanks to a promised 200% tariff on wine and champagne coming from Europe beginning April 2.
This will directly impact pricing for a bottle of wine from Europe. Moreover, importers have begun to halt shipments, decreasing supply in the United States and further increasing costs.
Shoes and Clothing
Americans needing a new pair of shoes aren’t exempt from increased costs. A whopping 99% of shoes sold in the United States in 2024 were imported, according to the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America.
Chinese-made shoes comprised nearly 60% of that amount, according to the organization. Tariffs will impact pricing for Americans. Furthermore, China is a major supplier of apparel sold in America. Americans can expect clothing prices to increase by 8.2%, according to the Yale Budget Lab.
Whether shoes or apparel, it’s safe to expect increased costs to purchase items. As more tariffs take effect, shopping for many items could become more painful in April. While Americans can’t control tariffs, they can control purchase habits. Making wise shopping decisions is the best way to prevent increased costs from stinging your wallet.
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