While the specifics of President Trump’s ongoing tariff rollout remain uncertain, it’s becoming increasingly likely that the prices on everyday goods will increase.
The White House reversed course on some tariffs, but many remain in effect, including 10% global tariffs on all countries and all products, as well as 145% tariffs on imports from China.
Even if a family were to purchase exclusively American brands, consumers cannot entirely avoid tariffs since so many raw materials must be imported. Hour by hour, here’s how a typical family’s day in North Carolina involves imported goods:
6 am: The Morning Routine
- Brushing your teeth: Crest and Colgate manufacture products in Mexico and Canada. Toothbrushes are imported from China and Switzerland, and Oral-B electric toothbrushes are made in Germany.
- Pouring that first cup of coffee: Most coffee beans are produced in Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia. And most coffee makers are made in China and Indonesia.
- Filling up your water bottle: Inside many water filters is carbon made from coconut shells, which come from Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and other countries in Southeast Asia. Brita filters are made in the United Kingdom and Germany.
- Breakfast: Many grocery staples could become more expensive. The U.S. imports bananas from countries throughout North and South America. Sugar is a big ingredient in many breakfast cereals, and about a third of US sugar is imported from 70 countries.
7 am: Prepping for school
- Clothing: 97% of clothing sold in the US is imported from Asian countries, such as China, India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam.
- School supplies: China is the primary exporter of pencils and crayons. For paper notebooks, China and Vietnam are top exporters. Children’s lunchboxes are made in China. And backpacks? China, Vietnam, or India.
8 am: Commuting
- Unlocking your car: Keyless vehicle systems often involve high-tech electronics sourced from Japan and South Korea, while more traditional components (like the actual locks) sometimes come from engineering hubs in Europe.
- Buying new tires: China supplies nearly a third of the global tire market, and Mexico is the third-largest manufacturer of tires.
12 pm: Lunch
- Eating a sandwich: A chicken or turkey sandwich has overseas ties as well. North Carolina is one of the top states in the country for chicken, egg, and turkey production, but farmers import parts for their farm machinery and potash to add to poultry feed. Canada is the biggest exporter of potash, which is also used in fertilizers, followed by Russia.
5 pm: Happy Hour
- A drink after work: Imported wine and spirits account for nearly 35% of the U.S. beverage alcohol market by volume. Many brands of vodka come from Sweden, France, and Poland. Last year, Americans drank $7.5 billion in imported beer, the vast majority from Mexico. The aluminum in the cans will also boost prices, which is currently subject to 25% tariffs.
6 pm: Chores
- Laundry: There’s a good chance your washing machine or its parts were made abroad. In 2024, the U.S. imported $2.3 billion in washers, mainly from China, Mexico, Thailand, South Korea, and Vietnam.
- Lawn mowers: Many major brands have production facilities in China, which make parts for brands like Snapper.
7 pm: Dinner
- Cooking: Cuisinart pots and pans are manufactured in China and France. Cutlery comes from all over, but leading exporters are China, Germany, Poland, and Mexico. Microwave brands Panasonic and Toshiba have factories in China, while LG is out of South Korea and China. Samsung microwaves come from South Korea, China, and Vietnam.
- Ingredients: Americans also love pasta. So much so that last year, we imported $1.75 billion in noodles. Most come from Italy, followed by South Korea, Canada, China, and Thailand.
8 pm: Relaxing TV and gaming: If you’re watching a Samsung or LG television, it came from Mexico. Nintendo and PlayStation produce their consoles in Vietnam and China.
