Former President Donald Trump’s latest tariff proposal could have a surprising impact on his own businesses, forcing him to increase the prices of his branded merchandise—leaving many of his loyal supporters to pay the difference. According to a recent report by Newsweek, the plan would lead to sharp price hikes on the products Trump sells, including those made outside of the United States.
As part of his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump has unveiled a policy that aims to replace much of the current federal tax system with a sweeping tariff on almost all imported goods. The former president is pushing for tariffs between 10-20% on countries he claims are “ripping us off,” with a targeted 60% tariff on products from China. This move, however, has drawn significant concern from economists, who argue that such a proposal would cripple the U.S. economy and lead to soaring prices for consumers.
The Newsweek report highlights how these tariffs could directly affect Trump’s businesses. During a recent visit to Trump Tower in Manhattan, a Newsweek reporter discovered that a variety of Trump-branded products were manufactured abroad. Items such as drinking flasks, baseball caps, jackets, and woolly hats were made in China, while shirts and jackets came from Vietnam, and towels were produced in Bangladesh. With the proposed tariffs, these goods would become significantly more expensive to import, leading to increased prices for Trump’s customers.
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Higher Costs Passed to Supporters
Critics argue that Trump’s businesses would simply pass these increased costs on to his supporters, resulting in higher prices for the merchandise. Many of these supporters, who have been loyal to Trump’s brand, could soon be paying substantially more for items emblazoned with his name.
One example of this price hike is Trump’s “God Bless the USA Bibles,” which include large-print editions of the Old and New Testaments, along with the Bill of Rights and lyrics from Lee Greenwood. These Bibles, which are manufactured in China, reportedly cost less than $3 to make but are sold for $60. With the new tariffs, the cost to consumers could rise even higher.
The Impact on Public Institutions
The tariff proposal could also have unintended consequences for public institutions. Oklahoma’s public school system, which was reportedly encouraged by the state’s far-right superintendent to purchase these Trump-branded Bibles, might now face an additional burden—paying tariffs on top of the already marked-up merchandise. This could lead to budget strains for educational institutions forced to bear the brunt of increased costs.
Political Backlash
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from Trump’s political opponents. The Harris campaign has been quick to denounce the tariffs, calling them a disguised national sales tax that would hurt American consumers. Trump, on the other hand, has dismissed these concerns, claiming that his plan wouldn’t cost Americans anything, though his understanding of how tariffs function appears to be in question.
As Trump’s tariff proposal continues to spark debate, it’s clear that the potential impact on his businesses and supporters could be significant. For now, the future of this policy—and its consequences—remains uncertain.
