You’ve probably heard the noise. One day it’s a "trade war" and the next it’s a "negotiation win." But when you’re standing in the aisle of a Home Depot or scrolling through Amazon, the politics don't matter as much as the price tag. Honestly, tracking what goods will be affected by tariffs right now feels a bit like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. The rules change fast.
Just last week, the vibe shifted again. On January 12, 2026, a new threat hit the wire: a 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran. That’s huge. If that sticks, it’s not just about one country; it’s about the ripple effect on everything from Turkish towels to Indian gemstones.
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We’re in a weird spot. Some of the scariest price hikes that were supposed to hit on New Year’s Day actually got pushed back. President Trump signed a last-minute proclamation on December 31, 2025, delaying the massive 50% jump for kitchen cabinets and vanities until 2027. It’s a breather, sure, but it’s not a "get out of jail free" card. You’re still paying a 25% duty on those items today.
Let’s break down what’s actually hitting your bank account right now and what’s just around the corner.
The Big Three: Furniture, Kitchens, and Your Next Remodel
If you were planning to gut your kitchen this spring, you might want to move fast. Even though the "nuclear" tariff of 50% on cabinets was delayed, the current 25% rate is still baked into the price. Many suppliers are starting to run through their "pre-tariff" inventory. Once that’s gone, the stickers change.
Upholstered furniture is in the same boat. Sofas and recliners were staring down a 30% rate, but that’s also been paused at the 25% mark for the rest of 2026. Still, 25% is a lot. If a couch costs $1,000 to bring into the country, that’s an extra $250 just in taxes before the store even adds its markup.
- Kitchen Cabinets/Vanities: Currently 25%. (Planned jump to 50% delayed to 2027).
- Upholstered Wood Furniture: Currently 25%. (Planned jump to 30% delayed to 2027).
- Softwood Timber: Roughly 10%. This hits new home construction and DIY deck projects directly.
Your Tech Stash is Getting Spendy
This is where it gets personal for a lot of us. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has been sounding the alarm because, frankly, we don't make most of this stuff here.
Laptops and tablets are especially vulnerable. We saw prices creep up by $50 or $100 last year, and that trend is basically a freight train at this point. Some analysts are predicting that if the current 20% IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act) tariffs on Chinese tech stay stacked on top of other duties, we could see an effective 45% or even 145% tax on certain components.
Think about your phone. A 31% increase on a $1,000 iPhone is $310. That’s not pocket change. Even video game consoles could see a massive 69% price jump if the most aggressive scenarios play out. Why? Because the supply chains for these things are a mess of different countries. A chip from one place, a screen from another, and assembly in a third. Each time it crosses a border, the tax man takes a cut.
The Grocery Aisle and the "Pasta Pivot"
Food is where the administration has been most "flip-floppy," mostly because voters get really mad when eggs and milk go up.
There was a crazy plan to put a 92% tariff on Italian pasta. Can you imagine paying double for a box of Barilla? The administration backed off that one in early January after realizing it would kill nearly $800 million in U.S. sales (since we actually sell them the wheat to make the pasta). Now, most Italian pasta is only facing about a 9.1% tax.
But other stuff isn't so lucky.
Vegetables, fruit, and beef from Mexico and Canada are still in the crosshairs. We import about $45 billion in agricultural goods from Mexico alone. If the 25% "baseline" tariff sticks, your avocados and tomatoes are going to feel like luxury items.
The good news? Bananas, coffee, and certain beef cuts have been granted exemptions. The White House basically realized that if you mess with coffee, people riot.
The Stealth Costs: Parts and Tools
Most people don't think about the water filter in their fridge or the spark plugs in their car. They should.
Replacement parts for major appliances are often made abroad. When those parts get hit with tariffs, your $100 repair bill becomes a $150 bill. Handheld power tools—drills, saws, grinders—are also rising because they’re made of steel and aluminum, both of which have been heavily taxed since mid-2025.
What’s Next? The Supreme Court Factor
Here is the "X" factor: The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule early this year on whether these emergency tariffs are even legal. If they say "no," everything changes overnight. The government might even have to pay back the billions they’ve collected.
But don't bet your retirement on it. Even if the court blocks one law, the administration is already looking at the "Fair Trade Act of 2026." This bill, introduced by Rep. Beth Van Duyne, would make a 10% baseline tariff the law of the land for almost everything coming into the country.
Actionable Steps to Protect Your Budget
- Buy your "forever" tech now: If your laptop is three years old and acting glitchy, replace it before the summer. The inventory currently in stores was likely imported under older, lower rates.
- Lock in your remodel quotes: If a contractor gives you a price for cabinets, ask them how long that price is guaranteed. Many are only honoring quotes for 14 days because their material costs are jumping so fast.
- Stockpile the basics: Vitamins, supplements, and personal care electronics (like electric razors) have long shelf lives and are almost entirely imported. A 12-month supply now could save you 20% by December.
- Check the "Country of Origin" label: It’s not just a suggestion anymore. It’s a price predictor. Goods from the UK, Japan, and South Korea often have better "deal" rates than those from China or India right now.
The bottom line is that the "wait and see" approach is getting expensive. While some of the most aggressive hikes are on pause, the general trend is that anything with a plug, a motor, or a "Made in China" sticker is going to cost you more this time next year. Look at your big purchases for the next 12 months and try to pull them forward if you can.