Tariffs add roughly $147 to school supply costs, costing Americans $200 billion annually
A trade analyst says U.S. tariffs are pushing the price of school items up by about $147 per student and costing the nation roughly $200 billion each year.
During a discussion on Center Square's program "The States," Bryan Riley, director of the National Taxpayers Union's Free Trade Initiative, explained that tariffs are inflating the cost of virtually all consumer goods, with school supplies seeing an average increase of $147 per student. He highlighted that items such as sports shoes, calculators, notebooks, and clothing have risen by $18.80, $4.90, $0.85, and $5.13 respectively.
Riley emphasized that the burden falls hardest on lower-income households and on school districts that rely on taxpayer funding. Greg Bishop also consulted economist Orphe Divounguy, who cited the latest BLS Personal Income and Outlays report showing households spending about $2,900 more each year for the same basket of goods. Divounguy pointed to additional factors like high government spending, rising interest rates, and global oil price shocks, suggesting that without relief on tariffs and energy costs, consumers will continue to feel financial pressure.
Why it matters
Higher tariffs raise everyday costs for families and schools, affecting household budgets and public education funding.
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