WASHINGTON, D.C., Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee estimate that U.S. households have absorbed nearly $1,200 in added costs since President Donald Trump reinstated broad tariffs, a finding that comes as economic concerns continue to shape national politics. The committee’s analysis, drawn from Treasury Department tariff revenue and outside estimates of consumer pass-through, calculates more than $158 billion in added consumer expenses between February and November. Average household costs increased sharply during that period, rising from about $54 a month in February to more than $181 in November, reflecting how quickly firms have shifted tariff burdens onto buyers.
The report projects that if current conditions persist, families could face roughly $2,100 in tariff-related expenses next year. Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire said the findings show the president’s trade strategy is raising prices rather than easing them for working families, a critique that aligns with broader concerns about affordability and economic stability.
Trump has imposed tariffs on nearly all major trading partners since returning to office, citing national security and domestic manufacturing goals. The average effective tariff rate has climbed to 16.8 percent, up from 2.4 percent in January, the highest level since 1935 according to the Yale Budget Lab. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell noted that the tariff-related price increases could be temporary, assuming the administration avoids further hikes. The White House has not yet responded to the report.
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