This paper provides an analysis of President Trump's tariffs and their impact on the US economy. It examines the history of tariffs, the current tariffs in place, and their effects on US businesses and consumers. It also looks at the potential implications of the tariffs on US trade relations with
During his second term as President of the United States, Donald Trump enacted a series of steep tariffs affecting nearly all goods imported into the country. From January to April 2025, the overall average effective US tariff rate rose from 2.5% to an estimated 27%—the highest level in over a century. After changes, negotiations, and the invalidation of certain tariffs by the Supreme Court of the United States, the overall average effective tariff rate was 11.8% in April 2026. The items most affected by the tariffs are metals, items mostly made of metal, and vehicles.