If you’ve walked through a Home Depot or scrolled through Amazon lately and wondered why a basic dishwasher or a roll of aluminum foil costs way more than it used to, you’re looking at the ripple effects of trade policy. It's kinda wild how a signature on a piece of paper in D.C. can change the price of a toaster in Ohio.
People always ask: what did trump put tariffs on? Honestly, it’s a massive list. It started with washing machines and solar panels back in early 2018 and snowballed into a global trade situation that hit everything from Chinese-made electronics to Canadian lumber.
Basically, a tariff is just a tax on imported goods. But the catch is that the foreign country doesn't pay it—the American company bringing the stuff in does.
The Heavy Hitters: Steel and Aluminum
The first big move that really shook the markets involved Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Trump used this "national security" loophole to slap a 25% tariff on imported steel and a 10% tariff on aluminum.
He didn't just target China either.
This hit allies like Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. The idea was to bring back American smelting jobs. Did it work? Well, it helped some mills in places like Minnesota and Pennsylvania, but it made things tough for anyone using that metal. Think about Ford or GM. If the steel for their trucks gets 25% more expensive, you're the one paying more at the dealership.
China and the Infamous Section 301
This is where things got really messy. The administration launched an investigation into China’s trade practices—specifically how they handle intellectual property. They didn't like how American companies were often forced to share their tech secrets just to do business in Beijing.
What followed was a multi-year back-and-forth.
- List 1 ($34 billion): High-tech industrial stuff. Think aircraft parts, boat engines, and industrial machinery.
- List 2 ($16 billion): Semiconductors, plastics, and chemicals.
- List 3 ($200 billion): This is where consumers felt it. Furniture, luggage, handbags, and seafood.
- List 4: This hit "soft goods" like apparel, shoes, and even the Apple Watch.
By the time the "Phase One" trade deal was signed in 2020, billions of dollars in goods were being taxed at rates ranging from 7.5% to 25%.
The 2025 "New Wave" of Tariffs
Fast forward to the second term, and the strategy got even more aggressive. We aren't just talking about a few specific metals anymore.
In early 2025, the administration pushed for a massive expansion. Steel and aluminum tariffs were hiked again, sometimes doubling to 50%. Then they went after things most of us use every single day.
Household Goods and Appliances
If you’re remodeling your kitchen, you’ve probably noticed the "sticker shock." In June 2025, the administration expanded tariffs to include refrigerators, dishwashers, and other large household appliances.
Wait, it gets more specific.
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They even put a 10% tariff on empty aluminum drink cans. Yeah, the ones for your soda or beer. Then they added kitchen cabinets and vanities. Even the upholstered couch in your living room likely has a 25% to 30% "tax" baked into its price if it came from overseas.
The Copper Squeeze
One of the most surprising moves was the 50% tariff on copper imports that took effect in August 2025. The U.S. actually imports nearly half of the copper it uses, with a huge chunk coming from Chile.
Because copper is in everything—your phone, your car’s wiring, the pipes in your walls—this move caused prices to soar to record highs. They did eventually exempt "cathode copper" to help out certain mining interests, but the damage to the supply chain was already done.
Who Actually Pays the Bill?
There’s a huge misconception that China or Mexico "pays" these tariffs. That's not how it works.
When a 25% tariff is placed on a shipment of Chinese electronics, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection collects that money from the American company importing them. To keep their profit margins, those companies usually do one of two things:
- Eat the cost: They make less money and maybe cut back on hiring or investment.
- Pass it on: They raise the price for you, the shopper.
Harvard economists and groups like the Tax Foundation have been tracking this. Their data shows that by late 2025, these tariffs had raised retail prices by about 4.9 percentage points above the normal trend. For things like clothes or coffee, the jump was even higher—closer to 8% or 9%.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of folks think tariffs only apply to "foreign" goods. But here's the kicker: they also drive up the price of stuff made right here in the USA.
How? Well, if an American steel mill knows that their foreign competition is now 25% more expensive because of a tariff, they can raise their own prices to just below that new, higher level. They're still the "cheaper" option, but they’re making more money per ton.
It’s a classic case of a rising tide lifting all prices, not just the imported ones.
Actionable Insights: Navigating the Tariff Era
We live in a world where trade wars are the new normal. If you're a business owner or just a concerned consumer, here is how you handle the fallout:
- Audit your supply chain: If you run a business, you have to know exactly where your components come from. A "Made in USA" product might still rely on imported copper or specialized Chinese sensors.
- Front-load big purchases: If a new round of tariffs is announced, there is usually a "grace period" before they take effect. This is why you often see a surge in imports right before a deadline.
- Watch for exclusions: The government often allows companies to apply for "exclusions" if they can prove they can't get a specific part anywhere else. It’s a paperwork nightmare, but it can save millions.
- Look to "Tariff-Free" countries: Many companies are moving production from China to places like Vietnam, India, or Thailand to avoid the specific "China Tariffs," though the broad 10% or 20% global tariffs still apply.
The reality is that what did trump put tariffs on is a question with a moving answer. It started as a targeted strike on specific industries and grew into a massive tool for geopolitical leverage. Whether you think it’s a brilliant way to protect American jobs or a "tax" on the middle class, one thing is certain: your wallet feels it every time you hit the checkout line.
Stay informed by checking the Federal Register or trackers from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. They keep a running tally of which "List" your favorite products currently sit on.