Trump tariffs cost businesses and consumers $13 billion, study claims

Published March 7, 2019 12:17am ET



President Trump’s tariffs on metals and Chinese goods have cost U.S. businesses and consumers a combined $13 billion in 2018, according to a study released Wednesday.

The analysis, by the market research firm Trade Partnership Worldwide and commissioned by Tariffs Hurt the Heartland, an ad-hoc group of trade associations seeking to roll back the levies, found that U.S. exports sank last year due to retaliatory tariffs set by China and other countries. Overall, exports declined by $15.7 billion, or 14 percent, last year, but exports of products not subject to retaliation increased by $119 billion, about 10 percent, indicating that companies could still sell abroad if the field was level.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.