U.S. consumers to pay 55% of tariff costs, Goldman Sachs says

U.S. consumers to pay 55% of tariff costs, Goldman Sachs says

Spread the love

U.S. consumers will end up paying the bulk of the cost for President Donald Trump’s tariffs, according to a report from Goldman Sachs.

The report undercuts repeated claims from the White House that foreign nations will pay the costs of the new import duties.

Goldman Sachs economists said American consumers will pay 55% of tariff costs, U.S. businesses will pay 22% and foreign exporters will pay 18%.

Goldman Sachs economists said U.S. firms are expected to pass costs onto consumers in the coming months, according to media reports.

“At the moment, however, U.S. businesses are likely bearing a larger share of the costs because some tariffs have just gone into effect and it takes time to raise prices on consumers and negotiate lower import prices with foreign suppliers,” the Goldman Sachs note said.

The Trump administration has repeatedly said that foreign governments would pay the tariffs.

“The President and Administration’s position has always been clear: while Americans may face a transition period from tariffs upending a broken status quo that has put America Last, the cost of tariffs will ultimately be borne by foreign exporters,” White House Spokesman Kush Desai said. “Companies are already shifting and diversifying their supply chains in response to tariffs, including by onshoring production to the United States.”

The White also blamed high prices on former President Joe Biden.

“Americans can rest assured that the Administration will continue to deliver economic relief from Joe Biden’s inflation crisis while laying the groundwork for a long-term restoration of American Greatness,” Desai said

The White House has previously denied that tariffs would raise consumer prices or that American companies would bear the higher costs.

“The reality is the president has always maintained that Chinese producers will be absorbing the cost of these tariffs,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a briefing in May. “The president is committed to ensuring that prices remain low for American consumers andhe maintains the position that foreign countries will absorb these tariffs.”

Trump has told businesses that he doesn’t want them to raise prices. He wants businesses to absorb the loss without passing on the higher prices to consumers.

Shortly after Walmart announced that it would raise prices throughout its stores in May, Trump told the world’s largest retailer to “eat it.”

Economists, businesses and some publicly traded companies have warned that tariffs could raise prices on a wide range of consumer products.

Trump has said he wants to use tariffs to restore manufacturing jobs lost to lower-wage countries in decades past, shift the tax burden away from U.S. families, and pay down the national debt.

A tariff is a tax on imported goods paid by the person or company that imports the goods. The importer can absorb the cost of the tariffs or try to pass the cost on to consumers through higher prices.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

mokena school district 159.5

Mokena 159 Board Approves Tentative $22.5 Million Tax Levy, Increase Triggers Public Hearing

Mokena School District 159 Meeting | November 19, 2025 Article Summary: The Mokena School District 159 Board of Education has given initial approval to a tentative 2025 property tax levy...
'Classic impasse' for Chicago aldermen debating proposed taxes, spending cuts

‘Classic impasse’ for Chicago aldermen debating proposed taxes, spending cuts

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is pushing for state help in funding the city’s budget, but a city...
Screenshot 2025-11-21 at 10.19.14 AM

Lincoln-Way 210 Board Approves Tentative 2025 Tax Levy with 4.57% Increase

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | November 20, 2025 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education unanimously approved a tentative property tax levy for...
Texas authorities arrest men for violent crimes after illegally entering as minors

Texas authorities arrest men for violent crimes after illegally entering as minors

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Authorities in Texas continue to arrest violent men in major cities years after they illegally entered the country as unaccompanied minors. They’re also continuing to...
WATCH: Gun ban cases and the Supreme Court; English and CDLs; Don Tracy eyes Senate

WATCH: Gun ban cases and the Supreme Court; English and CDLs; Don Tracy eyes Senate

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop discusses the status...
Illinois quick hits: Madigan disbarred; taxpayers subsidize medical debt relief

Illinois quick hits: Madigan disbarred; taxpayers subsidize medical debt relief

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Madigan disbarred Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is no longer licensed to practice law in the Land of Lincoln. The...
Screenshot 2025-11-19 at 9.30.24 AM

Will County Executive Committee to Hash Out Budget Cuts Following Levy Reduction

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | November 13, 2025 Article Summary: Following a Finance Committee vote to reduce the proposed 2026 property tax levy increase, Will County Board leaders on...
Inflation-adjusted teacher salaries drop despite record spending on public education

Inflation-adjusted teacher salaries drop despite record spending on public education

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new report says structural problems have led to record-high spending on public education in Illinois and...
Illinois quick hits: CDC's autism and vaccines website criticized by IDPH

Illinois quick hits: CDC’s autism and vaccines website criticized by IDPH

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square CDC's autism and vaccines website criticized The Illinois Department of Public Health is criticizing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and...
IL GOP U.S. Senate candidate says state needs balanced representation

IL GOP U.S. Senate candidate says state needs balanced representation

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Despite having to push through a potentially crowded primary field, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy says...
Wheat price drop brings notable Thanksgiving savings for Illinois families

Wheat price drop brings notable Thanksgiving savings for Illinois families

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois families will see some relief at the Thanksgiving table this year, with the average cost...
Illinois lawmaker calls FDA hormone therapy reversal ‘overdue’

Illinois lawmaker calls FDA hormone therapy reversal ‘overdue’

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker and practicing physician weighs said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F....
IL Rep on congressmen trading: 'We're not going to take a pile of money to hell'

IL Rep on congressmen trading: ‘We’re not going to take a pile of money to hell’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois congresswoman says the public is right to be alarmed about elected officials enriching themselves through...
Illinois quick hits: Officer shot report numbers down; Thanksgiving meal costs down

Illinois quick hits: Officer shot report numbers down; Thanksgiving meal costs down

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Officer shot report numbers down The National Fraternal Order of Police reports, through Oct. 31, 285 police officers have been shot...
WATCH: Chicago activist testifies; Quinn’s millionaire surcharge; High SNAP error rate

WATCH: Chicago activist testifies; Quinn’s millionaire surcharge; High SNAP error rate

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares highlights from...