Key points
- Tariffs on Chinese, Canadian, and Mexican products likely to affect US consumers
- The US imports nearly 37pc footwear, 29pc furniture, and 80pc of toys from China
- Mexico exports around 86.9pc auto parts along with 90pc of avocados
- Canada exports around $1.7 billion in frozen French fries
ISLAMABAD: Many items that the United States shoppers browse and buy on retailers’ shelves come from far-away factories or farms — a reality that could soon compel many consumers to shift their buying habits.
According to CNBC, experts think that most people have little knowledge of just how many items could see price spikes due to the duties: from avocados to children’s toys, to chocolate and cars.
Proposed tariffs on items from China, Mexico, and Canada — the three largest U.S. trading partners — would likely impact U.S. consumers the most.
Chinese products
According to the US International Trade Commission, around 100 per cent of footwear is imported by the US. Among these, nearly 37 per cent of footwear in 2023 came from China.
On the world stage, China is the largest exporter of furniture, according to data from the Home Furnishings Association. In 2023, China exported 29 per cent of furniture to the US.
Nearly 80 per cent of toys imported to the US come from China. According to the Toy Association, the cost of toys made outside of the US could increase by up to 56 per cent.
Mexican exports
Almost every big automaker working in the U.S. has at least one plant in Mexico. It includes the top six selling automakers that accounted for more than 70 per cent of U.S. sales in 2024.
The automotive industry is deeply integrated between the US and Mexico. Mexico imports 49.4 per cent of all auto parts from the US.
Mexico exports 86.9 per cent of its auto parts production to the US, according to the International Trade Administration.
Mexico is also home to the most selling beer in the US. In 2023, Constellation Brands’ Modelo overtook the crown from Bud Light. Constellation also owns Corona, which ranks in the top 10 US. beer brands, and fast-growing Pacifico.
Nearly all of the company’s beer brands are imported from Mexico, and beer accounted for 85 per cent of the company’s sales in the first three quarters of its fiscal year.
In case Trump implements the tariffs, Constellation’s cost of goods sold would surge by roughly 16 per cent, according to estimates from Wells Fargo Securities.
In the US., avocados are grown in California, Florida, and Hawaii.
However, around 90 per cent of the avocados eaten in the U.S. are grown in Mexico, according to US Department of Agriculture data.
Canadian items
Tariffs on Canadian items would be another blow for automakers and car buyers. French fries and winter coats also risk getting costly for consumers.
Ford, GM, Stellantis, Toyota Motor, and Honda Motor produced 1.54 million light-duty vehicles last year in the province for US consumers.
Canada Goose has built its reputation on better quality outerwear for cold temperatures.
Approximately, 70 per cent of the retailer’s merchandise is made in Canada, and 30% is produced in Europe at a factory that the company owns in Romania and at contractors on other parts of the Continent.
Canada exports around $40.5 billion in agricultural goods to the US every year, including $1.7 billion in frozen French fries along with other frozen potato products, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the country’s counterpart to the US Department of Agriculture.