American consumers are starting to feel President Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports, especially online.
Since mid-April, Amazon sellers have hiked prices on nearly 1,000 products, reports SmartScout.
The average jump? Almost 30%.
SmartScout CEO Scott Needham noted price rises on tech accessories and clothing. Anker, a top Amazon charger brand, increased prices on about 25% of its listings. “Nothing explains these hikes but tariffs,” Needham stated.
Tariffs, paid by importers, are usually passed to consumers. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy earlier predicted U.S. tariffs would raise consumer goods prices. The U.S. has tariffs up to 145% on Chinese goods, while China retaliated with 125% on U.S. items. Trump argues tariffs will boost U.S. manufacturing.
Amazon says the 900+ price hikes are 1% of top products, with a common increase of 6%. They claim SmartScout’s 30% average is skewed by a few large jumps, and insist their prices remain competitive.
Shein and Temu also raised prices after the U.S. closed a duty-free loophole for goods under $800. Temu saw a pair of sneakers jump from $14 to $27.
These hikes show retailers’ struggle with tariffs. High tariffs can make China manufacturing costly, but shifting supply chains is expensive and takes years. Tariff uncertainty also hinders planning.
Trump recently said U.S.-China trade talks could lower tariffs “substantially,” but Beijing denied active talks, demanding tariff removal. Oxford Economics analysts foresee potential tariff cuts but no clear timeline, suggesting continued price volatility.
