by Damon Carr Let’s keep it a buck—tariffs ain’t just boring political talk for CNN and policy nerds. Nah, tariffs hit the streets, your shopping cart, and your stock portfolio like a freight train. Case in point: recent tariffs slapped on Vietnamese imports by former President Trump caused chaos in the markets, shook Nike to its core, and took a big bite out of Big Tech. If you didn’t feel it yet, hold tight—it’s trickling down fast.
What is a Tariff?
A tariff is basically a tax the government slaps on goods coming in from other countries. It’s like charging a cover fee just because a product crossed the border. The idea is to protect U.S.-made goods by making imported stuff more expensive. The hope? You’ll buy American. The reality? It’s not that simple—especially when U.S. companies depend on overseas manufacturing.
Tariffs may start as a “power move” in trade wars, but they end up being a tax YOU pay as a consumer. Businesses just pass those extra costs right down the chain—and guess who’s at the bottom of that chain? You, me, and everybody trying to stretch a dollar.
