Ridiculous! The Escalating Price of Tariffs on Arizona Shoppers

Everywhere you look, prices are going up right now. I've seen signs posted by restaurants and retailers apologizing for the increased costs they're passing on to us, the consumer, but it's out of their hands.

If every product you regularly buy goes up a dollar or two, how much is that impacting your budget?

What Tariffs Really Mean For Your Shopping Cart

The University of Arizona College of Agriculture, Life, and Environmental Science (CALES) partnered with the UofA's Norton School to take a deep look at how Arizona's consumers are being affected by the array of tariffs that have been imposed on the United States' trade partners - and how the retaliatory tariffs from other countries are adding insult to injury.

Tariffs can sound like one of those far‑off policy things that only economists care about, but they're no longer an abstract concept. Here in Arizona, they're showing up in a much more familiar place: the checkout line.

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When the U.S. imposes tariffs on imported goods, retailers have very little choice. They have to pass the extra cost to shoppers. When tariffs rise, so do prices. Some of the recent tariff hikes on goods from countries like Mexico, Canada, and China have reached 20–25%. According to the Consumer Price Index, overall prices have risen more than 2.7% in only one year.

Related: Trade War with China Affects Arizona's Alfalfa Farmers

Products Hit The Hardest in Arizona

We're not talking about rarely purchased luxury items. The rising costs have hit us hardest on the essentials we purchase every day: groceries.

A wide array of fruits and vegetables, as well as packaged foods, are imported from Mexico. A 25% tariff can translate into higher prices on staples like tomatoes, avocados, and canned goods.

Then there are the products we rely on China for: electronics and household goods. This means everything from laptops to air fryers is at least 20% more expensive than they were two years ago.

Even big‑box stores are bracing for higher costs. Some retailers are challenging the tariffs in court to avoid passing on even more increases to customers.

Read More: 5 Ways Trump's Tariffs Could Affect Arizona Families

What This Means For Arizona Shoppers

Families are absorbing the costs. Food alone has risen 20–25%, depending on the product. That adds up quickly, especially in rural counties where incomes are lower and grocery options are fewer.

The stated intention of tariffs was to shield U.S. industries from foreign competition, create leverage in negotiations, and generate revenue for the federal government. The reality is that families, like those here in Arizona, are the ones truly paying the price.