New tariffs aren’t just an economic policy—they’re a direct hit on working-class Americans. As Market Institute President Charles Sauer explains in RealClearMarkets, tariffs act as a hidden tax, raising prices on essential goods and squeezing families who are already struggling to make ends meet. While politicians push tariffs as a way to “protect” American industries, the reality is that they often do more harm than good—especially for those living paycheck to paycheck.
“Tariffs are effectively a tax on the poor. The rich can afford price increases, but for those living paycheck to paycheck, every dollar counts. Politicians who champion tariffs as a solution to economic woes are actually making life harder for the very people they claim to help.”
Instead of shielding American workers, tariffs put them on the front lines of economic hardship. When the cost of imported goods rises, so does the price of everyday essentials—everything from groceries to household items to electronics. And those added costs don’t just stay at the consumer level; they also force businesses to scale back, leading to job losses and lower wages.
“Tariffs create inefficiencies, raise prices, and disrupt supply chains. Instead of leveling the playing field, they tilt it against American consumers and businesses.”
History has already shown us the consequences of misguided tariff policies. From the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which worsened the Great Depression, to recent trade wars that have driven up costs on critical goods, the evidence is clear: tariffs fail to deliver on their promises.
“What we need is less government interference, not more. Free markets, open competition, and lower barriers to trade lead to real prosperity—not artificial, politically motivated tariffs.”
As policymakers push for new tariffs, everyday Americans should ask: Who really pays the price? The answer is clear—the working class bears the burden.
Read more about why tariffs fail and how free markets drive real prosperity: Read the full article here.
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