Messaging Guidance:

Communicating the Impact of Trump’s Tariffs

 

Background:

Today, the Trump Administration implemented a series of tariffs on Mexico and Canada, as well as on Chinese imports. 

In responding to Trump’s tariffs, we recommend you focus on the direct impact these actions will have on American businesses and consumers. Trump’s tariffs will hit Americans in their wallets – which contradicts what he promised on the campaign trail.

Talking Points:

  • Donald Trump ran for president on a promise to lower prices for American families. Today, he’s breaking that promise by implementing a disastrous plan that will increase inflation, slow economic growth, and hurt U.S. workers.

  • The burden of these taxes won’t be felt by Trump and the billionaires running Washington – but by working class people and small businesses. And despite Trump’s lies, it’s not true that additional costs will be paid by Canada and Mexico. “It is Americans who will directly pay for it.” 

  • So how do Trump’s tariffs impact American families? Unfortunately, the cost of household goods and everyday items will likely skyrocket.

    • Groceries: Mexico supplies 63 percent of the U.S. vegetable imports and 47 percent of the fruit and nut imports. With the tariffs in effect, “tomatoes, avocados, cucumbers, jalapenos, limes, mangos, and other typical produce imports from Mexico will increase in price.”

    • Energy: “Canada is also the top supplier of crude oil to the U.S., making up 60% of total oil imports, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.” That oil is subject to Trump’s tariffs – the cost of which will be passed on to the American consumer at the pump and in their energy bills.

    • Automobiles: The tariffs “are widely expected to raise the prices that American consumers pay for new automobiles. And the tariffs come at a time when new cars and trucks are already selling for near record prices.”

  • And how will Trump’s tariffs impact our business community? The cost of doing business will likely soar for many companies that import or export goods in North America.

    • Layoffs and Business Closures: More than 4.5 million jobs in the United States rely on imports from Canada and Mexico, which are worth over $900 billion annually. Increasing the cost of those goods would likely result in American companies scaling back, laying off workers to cut costs, or shutting their doors entirely. 

    • Retaliatory tariffs cutting profits: Small businesses and major industries across the country depend on consumers in Canada and Mexico. For example, 17% of U.S. exports go to Canada – all of which could soon be subject to retaliatory tariffs. which would harm U.S. exporters’ bottom lines. 

Published: March 2025