5 Summer Party Staples That Trump Tariffs Could Make More Expensive
Written by
Laura Bogart
Edited by
Kristen Mae
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Summer is practically synonymous with fun. There are so many kinds of parties: pool parties, picnic parties, birthday parties, and spontaneous, just-because-the-weather-is-lovely parties. The time spent with friends and family may be priceless — but thanks to the potential trade war catalyzed by tariffs proposed by the Trump administration, the cost of the items you’ll need to make those parties sizzle could be about to get even hotter. And not in a good way.
Thanks to tariffs, you might find that you’ll need to set aside extra money for certain party necessities or try to find less expensive alternatives. GOBankingRates donned our party hats — and our sunscreen — to give you the scoop on party staples that could be increasing in price this season.
1. Avocados
Whether you like to slice ’em on your burgers or mash them into your homemade guacamole, avocados are a staple of many a summer cookout or party. Unfortunately, they’re poised to get a little too ripe in price this season due to Trump tariffs targeting Mexico, where many of these delicious fruits are grown. In fact, about 90% of the avocados Americans consume come from Mexico — meaning that even avocado-based foods like store-bought guacamole could get more expensive.
2. Certain Kinds of Alcohol
No, you don’t need alcohol to make it a party (and truly, you should always have non-alcoholic options available). But for those who enjoy a responsibly sipped whiskey, beer, or margarita, the price for some of these summer favorites might make you do a spit-take.
That tequila you love for your margaritas? It stands in the crosshairs of Trump’s tariff war with Mexico. Like Modelo or Corona? They’re also Mexican imports — and because they’re canned, they could face price hikes due to tariffs on aluminum.
Many whiskeys and bourbons enjoyed around bonfires also come from Canada, which seems to be a massive target of the tariffs. According to the BBC, “Trump has also threatened a 200% tariff on alcohol from the EU, which could make Spanish wine, French champagne, or German beer more expensive for Americans, though it is not clear if this will be carried out.”
3. Sunscreen
Unless you want your new summer anthem to be “Rock Lobster,” you’d better load up on sunscreen before you hit the party circuit. Many highly regarded sunscreen and skincare products are manufactured in South Korea, a country also affected by Trump tariffs.
This isn’t the first time tariffs have impacted the cost of sunscreen. According to Allure, back during Trump 1.0, the Personal Care Products Council — the leading beauty industry trade group in the U.S. — issued a statement opposing tariffs on personal care items, including sunscreen.
4. Toys
To be any kind of host with the most, you’ll want to entertain all your guests — including the little ones. Whether you’re picking up toys to keep kids safely engaged during a party or inflatables for adults to lounge on in the pool, you may want to buy them sooner rather than later.
AARP reports that toys are likely to rise in price because of tariffs. “Nearly 80 percent of toys sold in the U.S. are sourced from China, according to The Toy Association, a national industry group. Greg Ahearn, the association’s president and CEO, said at the company’s four-day trade show in early March that he anticipates prices on games, dolls, cars and other toys will rise by 15 percent to 20 percent by the back-to-school shopping season because of tariffs. ‘It’s untenable,’ he said at the event.”
5. Outdoor Furniture
Okay, you might not think of furniture as a party staple in the same way you think of beer — but if you’re hosting, your guests will need a place to sit, eat and relax. That’s especially true for outdoor gatherings where seating isn’t always built in.
Unfortunately, many outdoor furniture items are imported from countries like China, Mexico, and Canada — making them potential targets of tariffs. If you’re planning to upgrade your patio setup this summer, you may want to shop sooner rather than later.
Editor’s note on political coverage: GOBankingRates is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. You can find more coverage of this topic on GOBankingRates.com.
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Sources:
- AARP, “9 Products That May Get More Expensive Due to Tariffs”
- BBC, “Six things that could get more expensive for Americans under Trump tariffs”
- Allure, “How Much More Expensive Will Beauty Products Get As Tariffs Take Effect?”
