American businesses across multiple industries are preparing for financial strain as former President Donald Trump’s newly imposed tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China take effect. The levies, which include a 25% tax on Canadian and Mexican goods and a 10% tax on Chinese imports, are set to be implemented on Tuesday, with Canadian energy products facing a lower 10% rate.

According to estimates from the Budget Lab at Yale University, these tariffs could cost the average American household between $1,000 and $1,200 in annual purchasing power. Economists also warn of broader economic consequences, with inflation projected to rise by 0.4 percentage points this year and U.S. economic growth expected to slow from 2.8% in 2023 to a decline of 1.5% in 2025 and 2.1% in 2026.

Small Businesses Face Rising Costs

For businesses like The Penny Ice Creamery in Santa Cruz, California, the tariffs could mean higher costs for essential equipment imported from China, including refrigerators, freezers, and blenders. Co-owner Zach Davis fears that rising expenses will force him to raise prices yet again. Even small items like sprinkles—imported from Ontario—will be affected by a 25% tax, potentially cutting into the shop’s already thin profit margins.

In North Carolina, Casey Hite, CEO of Aeroflow Health, a medical supply company, worries that the increased cost of Chinese-manufactured breast pumps and other supplies will ultimately lead to higher health insurance premiums for American consumers. With insurance reimbursement rates locked in before the tariffs, Aeroflow may be forced to either accept financial losses or switch to lower-quality products.

Similarly, Linda Schlesinger-Wagner, owner of Skinnytees, a Michigan-based women’s apparel brand, expects higher costs due to the 10% tax on Chinese imports. Although she plans to absorb the expense rather than pass it on to customers, she predicts that consumers will soon see price hikes across the board on everything from clothing to food and cars.

Supply Chain Disruptions and Inflation Concerns

While some industries have stocked up on goods in anticipation of the tariffs, experts warn that the economic impact will be felt within months. Construction companies, for example, have been hoarding materials, but once their inventories dwindle, the price of materials will likely spike, causing project delays and increased costs.

Supermarkets and produce vendors, however, have no ability to stockpile perishable goods. In Nogales, Arizona, tomato distributor Rod Sbragia fears that the import taxes will lead to fewer choices for consumers and higher prices on fresh fruits and vegetables.

Even American farmers could face economic consequences, as Canada, Mexico, and China may impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural products. In Trump’s first term, China responded to tariffs by targeting American soybeans and pork, prompting the administration to spend billions in taxpayer money to compensate farmers for lost sales.

As the new tariffs take effect, many in rural America are counting on similar relief measures. “The Trump administration provided a safety net,” said Lee Wicker of the North Carolina Growers Association. “Farmers trust that he’s going to take care of anybody who’s hurt by the tariffs.”

With economic uncertainty looming, business owners and consumers alike are bracing for the financial fallout of Trump’s latest trade measures.