If you’re the type to skip headlines and assume tariffs are just some boring, government-level nonsense, think again. Tariffs affect you—your grocery bill, your gas tank, your new iPhone, even your Friday night Modelo. And, if you’re still wondering, will Trump actually do tariffs?—well, he already did.

Fulfilling another campaign promise, President Donald Trump slapped 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, with a slightly “softer” 10% on China. The Trump tariff plan went into effect almost immediately, hitting everything from cars to beer to home construction materials. The reason? The White House claims it's a move against illegal immigration, fentanyl, and trade imbalances.

But Justin Trudeau warns Trump's tariffs will hurt American consumers, and frankly, he’s got a point. Here’s how this could hit your wallet, your job, and even the stuff you eat—all wrapped up in an easy-to-digest (and slightly alarming) breakdown.

The Myth of ‘Good Tariffs’—And Why Trump Still Loves Them

If there’s one thing Trump understands, it’s power moves. His tariffs aren’t just about trade deficits—they’re also weapons in his negotiation arsenal.

"How can Trump tariff be good?" Supporters argue that tariffs:

• Encourage ‘Buy American’ policies (forcing companies to manufacture more in the U.S.).

• Cut trade deficits (the U.S. imports way more than it exports, especially from China and Mexico).

• Increase government revenue (because tariffs = more cash for Uncle Sam).

The brutal reality? Higher costs hit businesses first, and they don’t just absorb the pain—they pass it to you, the consumer.

If You Eat Food, This Affects You

• Mexico is the #1 exporter of fruits and vegetables to the U.S. Now? A 25% price hike is on the menu.

• That $1 avocado toast you mock? Try $3 per avocado—or don’t, because it might not be worth it.

• Canada supplies meat, dairy, and grains. If you like steak, bread, or cheese, you might feel the pinch.

Driving a Car? Owning One? Hope You Like Paying More

• America loves its cars, but guess where most of them are made? Mexico.

• In 2023, the U.S. imported over $87 billion worth of cars from Mexico alone.

• That sleek Tesla Gigafactory in Nuevo León? On hold. So much for cheap, American-made EVs.

Trudeau: "Hey, America, You’re Flipping Yourself Over"

Even Canada—our usually polite, non-confrontational neighbor—is done playing nice.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warns Trump's tariffs will hurt American consumers, and honestly? He’s right. This isn’t just about Canada—it’s about your paycheck, your gas tank, and your weekly grocery bill.

So, what’s the deal? Trump slapped a 10% tariff on Canadian oil, which might sound like a small bump—until you realize that Canada is America’s biggest oil supplier. The U.S. imported a whopping $97 billion worth of Canadian oil in 2024 alone. Now, every gallon refined from that oil is about to get more expensive.

What This Means for You

• Gas Prices? Going Up. If you live in the Midwest, you’re about to feel it first. Most of that oil flows straight into refineries in Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois.

• Everything That Uses Diesel? More Expensive. Trucks, planes, farm equipment—it’s all running on pricier fuel now. Expect delivery fees, food prices, and even airfare to creep up.

• Your Commute? Suddenly More Costly. Whether you drive to work or Uber, those added costs don’t disappear—they just roll down to you.

While Americans are paying more, Canada isn’t just sitting there politely taking the hit. They’re gearing up for retaliation.

Canada’s Response: A Tariff Punch Back

• Bourbon? More Expensive. The U.S. exports millions of dollars in whiskey and bourbon to Canada. Expect a big price hike at liquor stores.

• Electronics? Good Luck. Canadian tech companies are discussing adding tariffs on U.S. components, which could drive up prices on everything from smartphones to gaming consoles.

• Flights? Fewer Deals. If you’re used to grabbing a cheap flight to Toronto or Vancouver, buckle up. Canadian airlines could raise ticket prices in response to higher fuel costs.

And the worst part? Canada wasn’t even the main target of Trump’s tariff plan—but now, they’re in the fight whether they like it or not.

Mexico: "This Isn’t Our First Rodeo"

While Canada fumes, Mexico shrugs.

President Claudia Sheinbaum is playing it cool, basically saying: "We don’t think it’s going to happen really." Translation? Mexico has backup plans. And they’ve had them for a while.

See, 80% of Mexico’s exports go straight to the U.S., so a 25% tariff should be devastating, right? Wrong. Mexico saw this coming.

Mexico’s Countermove: The China Pivot

• Chinese companies are now setting up factories in Mexico. Why? Because they know that sending goods directly from China means hitting Trump’s tariffs head-on.

• Mexico is strengthening ties with Beijing. If the U.S. closes the door, China walks right in—buying up factories, raw materials, and supply chains.

• Exports may shift away from the U.S. If Mexico gets a better deal with China, some goods that were U.S.-bound may be rerouted elsewhere.

This isn’t just a hypothetical. Mexico has options, and they’re not afraid to use them.

The U.S. Might Lose Its Cheapest Supplier

• Mexican labor is still far cheaper than American labor. If companies in Texas, California, or Arizona suddenly face 25% tariffs, some may close down U.S. operations altogether and shift even more manufacturing to China, India, or Vietnam.

• Tesla's Mexico factory? Put on hold. Musk was planning a giant gigafactory in Nuevo León, but now? Not so fast.

• The cost of Mexican food in the U.S. is about to jump. Avocados, tomatoes, tequila—80% of Mexico’s food exports go to the U.S. 

So while Trump is playing chess, Mexico is playing a whole different game.

Will Trump Actually Do Tariffs on Everything?

Would he? Could he? Should he? If you’ve been paying attention to Trump’s trade war history, you already know the answer: Yes, he would. Yes, he could. No, he probably shouldn’t.

During his campaign, Trump teased an all-encompassing tariff—one that would slap a tax on every single imported good coming into the U.S. So far, it hasn’t happened. Yet. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from Trump’s playbook, it’s that he likes to keep the pressure on, keep the markets nervous, and keep himself at the center of economic chaos.

Now, let’s be clear—Trump isn’t doing this just because he likes the sound of “tariff.” He’s pushing tariffs as a multi-purpose weapon:

• To “fix” the trade deficit (which he has always considered unfair).

• To bring manufacturing back to the U.S. (even though companies have already offshored most of their production to places with dirt-cheap labor).

• To generate revenue for the government. (Which is ironic, considering tariffs function as an indirect tax on Americans.)

• To use as leverage in negotiations with other countries. (Because nothing says “diplomacy” like an economic gut punch.)

But would it work? Let’s talk about what happens if Trump actually goes through with this nuclear tariff plan.

Immediate Fallout: The Prices & The Punch in Your Wallet

If every single import gets taxed, you’ll feel it immediately—whether you’re shopping for groceries, booking a flight, or replacing your old laptop.

• Everyday goods? More expensive. Retailers won’t eat the tariff costs—they’ll pass them to you. Expect higher prices on everything from clothing to smartphones to furniture.

• Supply chains? A complete mess. American companies don’t just buy products from overseas—they buy parts. Cars, appliances, electronics—all rely on foreign components. If Trump taxes everything, entire industries will have to rethink production.

• Foreign retaliation? A certainty. China, Canada, Mexico—they’re not going to sit back and accept this. They’ll slap tariffs on American exports, making U.S. goods less competitive globally. That means fewer buyers for American agriculture, tech, and machinery.

Now, you might be thinking: “But wait, doesn’t this mean more jobs in the U.S.?” Not really.

The “More Jobs” Myth: What Actually Happens

In theory, tariffs should encourage companies to manufacture in the U.S. In reality, they don’t. Instead of rushing to open factories, companies will:

• Raise prices to cover increased costs.

• Automate jobs instead of hiring more workers.

• Shift production to OTHER low-cost countries (think Vietnam, India, or Mexico—if it’s exempt).

History already proved this. When Trump imposed steel tariffs in 2018, what happened? Steel got more expensive, but the U.S. lost more manufacturing jobs than it gained.

So, What’s Next? Will the U.S. Walk This Back?

Unlikely. Trump thrives on unpredictability. He’s already reopened NAFTA negotiations—meaning even existing trade deals aren’t safe.

One thing’s for sure: Trump’s trade war isn’t just a headline—it’s in your shopping cart, your gas pump, and maybe even your paycheck.

And if you’re waiting for politicians to fix this mess? Don’t hold your breath.