Recent tariffs in the U.S. have raised costs for various imported goods, with duties on auto parts, steel, aluminum, and a steep 145% customs fee on Chinese products. Many consumers, including small business owners, shared their experiences with increased pricing due to these tariffs. An example includes Sandy Alonso, who faced a dramatic rise in the cost of her wheelchair due to tariffs, paying nearly $3,500 for tariffs alone. Consequently, these added costs are mostly borne by American consumers, as exporters can only absorb some of the expenses before passing them on.
By the time the wheelchair arrived in Canada via China and crossed the border into the U.S., Alonso was facing a steeper tariff of 145%. By then, it was too late to send it back.
Some of that increased cost is being eaten by exporters in other countries, but a lot is being picked up by Americans.
The total cost of her wheelchair was close to $6,000, of which nearly $3,500 was for tariffs alone.
Small businesses also sent in screenshots of their new prices to NPR. Some of them have chosen to be upfront with their customers about why they have hiked prices.
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