From Coffee to Clothing: 9 Everyday Essentials Now Impacted by Tariffs (And How to Save!)

Since whisperings of tariffs began in late 2024, Americans have been concerned about what this will mean as a consumer. Now that car tariffs have gone into effect and two other types of duty taxes will soon be following, shoppers are anticipating a hit to their wallet. Keep reading to learn more about the most common essentials being impacted by tariffs, plus ways you can help cut down on the rising costs.

What are the tariffs?

On April 2, President Trump announced two new types of tariffs on what he called “Liberation Day.” CBS News reports that these have been imposed with the hope of eliminating trade deficits between the U.S. and other countries.

The first tariff is a universal 10% tax on all goods being imported into the U.S. The second is what’s being called a “reciprocal tariff” and will be applied to imports from 60 countries. These are specifically targeted at trading partners that already have taxes on some imported U.S. products.

Consumers will likely be seeing the impacts of these tariffs soon as the 10% tariff officially goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on April 5. The reciprocal tariff rates will soon follow at 12:01 a.m. on April 9.

Essentials impacted by the new tariffs

With the new rates being put into place, there are three scenarios that could play out with businesses that directly cater to consumers.

1. The company keeps the price of the product the same and shoulders the cost of the tariff.
2. The company raises the cost of the product for consumers to keep the profit.
3. The company stops buying the product from the other country and instead finds a domestic supplier.

For now, many experts expect that American families will be seeing higher prices and shortages on common goods. Here are some of the essentials that will likely be hit by the tariffs.  

Cars

With the previously announced 25% tariff on vehicles and auto parts now starting, buying cars and servicing current vehicles could get a lot more expensive. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives told CBS News that car prices could rise by between $5,000 to $10,000. Auto parts shipped by foreign countries will also be subjected to the tariffs, which will go into effect no later than May 3.

The automakers expected to be impacted the most: General Motors, Toyota, Honda, BMV, and Volkswagen.

(One break? Crude oil, natural gas and refined products are exempt, which means no negative impact on fuel prices).

Clothing and shoes

Updating your wardrobe on a budget could become more difficult, as a 2024 report from the American Apparel & Footwear Association found that the U.S. imports 97% percent of its apparel and shoes.

The majority of clothing that Americans wear comes from China and Vietnam. Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Cambodia and Italy are also common countries producing apparel imported by the U.S.

Coffee

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. is the world’s second leading importer of coffee, specifically Arabica and Robusta varieties. Two years ago, 80% of unroasted coffee imports came from Brazil and Colombia.

Both countries are known to be major global producers of the Arabica-variety coffee beans. These produce less acidic and higher quality coffee, which often results in a premium price.

Wine and spirits

Wine lovers will likely be shelling out when buying their favorite foreign wines. Italian and French wines (like Barolo, Pinot Grigio, Merlot and Chardonnay) will be subjected to the European Union’s reciprocal tariff of 20%. United Kingdom-made wine will see the standard 10% tariff.

Spirits will be affected too, especially Scottish Whiskey (such as Johnnie Walker and Ballantine’s) and Irish Whiskey (like Jameson and Roe & Co).

Spices

Keeping your pantry stocked to season your meals may be a bit more costly. India, often called “the land of spices,” will be hit with a reciprocal 28% tariff. The country is particularly known for exporting chili, black pepper, coriander, cumin, mustard and cardamom.

The U.S. is currently the largest spice importer and consumer, so this change likely won’t go unnoticed.

Rice

Rice is a staple in many American households, especially because it can be so affordable to buy in bulk. But with the tariffs looming, that may not stay the case for long, shares EatThisNotThat.com. Thailand and China are two well-known exporters of rice, and they are facing tariffs of 36% and 34%, respectively.

Produce

There are many fruits and vegetables that the U.S. imports, especially during winter months or for produce that can’t grow in our climate.

Currently, Mexico is the largest supplier of America’s agricultural products, accounting for 31%. But the country will remain exempt from tariffs on products that are USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) compliant. As long as the produce (like avocado or lettuce) is wholly grown in Mexico, it will be compliant.

But there are plenty of fruits and vegetables that come from countries other than Mexico. Here are some that are frequently imported:

• Bananas
• Grapes
• Pineapples
• Kiwifruit
• Carrots
• Apples
• Mangoes

Meat

Products containing fresh, frozen and canned meat are all commonly imported from other countries. Plenty of canned tuna, for example, comes from Thailand and Ecuador. Frozen fish fillets are frequently imported from China, while significant imports of beef come from Australia and New Zealand (10% tariffs). (Lobster and pork from Canada were expected to be affected, but Canada catches a break if products are USMCA compliant).

Tea

Whether you prefer hot or iced tea, the drink you’re enjoying may soon be more expensive. India and the U.K. do a lot of exporting of tea, and both have been hit with tariffs. While the U.K.’s new taxes aren’t nearly as high as those of India, the U.S. is reportedly the UK’s largest export market for goods and services.

How to save on tariff-impacted costs as a consumer

Though some uncertainty remains as to what products will increase in price, many consumers are concerned about how they can cut costs. Unfortunately, your wallet may take a hit regardless as tariffs can have a widespread impact.

But you can consider the following tips to help you minimize any hefty price increases:

1. Check product labels. Buy items made in the U.S. or those from Mexico or Canada when possible. Their USMCA-complaint goods should be exempt from the tariffs.
2. Wait for sales. Companies may still offer discounts for special occasions or holidays and offset the higher prices. This could be especially helpful for clothing items, which are largely imported and don’t need to be bought as frequently.
3. Buy second-hand. You may find household items and clothing at thrift stores that are name brand, but sold at a discount since they aren’t brand new.
4. Utilize coupons. If a company or store offers coupons, take advantage of them for extra savings! Being part of a loyalty program could also help take money off your overall purchase.

Should I stock up on goods hit by tariffs?

 You may be wondering if it’s worth buying items in bulk before the tariffs go into effect and impact prices for consumers. Though this isn’t possible for perishable items like produce, trying to get ahead and stocking up on any item likely will do more harm than good.

“We make most of our toilet paper here, but because everybody freaked out, went out and bought it,” Scott Lincicome, vice president of general economics and trade at the Cato Institute, told NPR. “If you start getting really nervous and start stockpiling goods and a lot of other people do that too, you can actually create high prices and shortages where there isn’t even a tariff effect. So I wouldn’t really recommend doing that.”