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Ali Velshi Explains which Items Trump’s Tariffs Make More Expensive

The MSNBC host and Citizen board member talks with Investopedia’s Caleb Silver about how the average American is being impacted by Trump's tariffs and rising prices

Listen

Ali Velshi Explains which Items Trump’s Tariffs Make More Expensive

The MSNBC host and Citizen board member talks with Investopedia’s Caleb Silver about how the average American is being impacted by Trump's tariffs and rising prices

BY Ali Velshi

Aug. 11, 2025

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For decades, our interconnected global economy has enabled Americans to access everyday household goods, clothing and everything modern life could offer at reasonably low prices. But this week, after negotiations, delays, and uncertainty, President Donald Trump‘s tariffs finally took effect. Ali Velshi brings back our fictional average working mother, Betty, along with Investopedia’s Caleb Silver, to the show to demonstrate how these price hikes are going to affect our lives.

As of now, most imported goods are subject to a 10 percent baseline tariff, with an average rate of 17 percent, the highest tariffs we have seen since the Great Depression. At the moment, many retailers are struggling to avoid raising prices, but there’s no avoiding it now.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty, and uncertainty paralyzes people, whether you’re running a small business or whether you’re investing or just trying to run a household.” — Caleb Silver, Investopedia

Consumers might be able to forgo the rising costs of whiskey and wine, these tariffs hit more than luxury goods. Laundry detergent, olive oil and coffee are all going up in costs. The aluminum that holds our soda and beer has gone up as well. Prices on shoes and apparel are projected to increase by up to 40 percent. Automakers are facing 4 to 8 percent price increases, which may not sound like a lot, but next to your house, your vehicle is the most expensive purchase you make. That single-digit increase translates to thousands of dollars.

Buying American won’t evade higher prices either, as many autos are built outside the U.S., and even those made here include parts, steel and aluminum shipped in from overseas.

Moreover, many other tariffs are still in flux, such as those on copper. The pricing impact of tariffs that have taken effect on items like superconductors, on which everything from manufacturing to logistics to the end-use consumer goods Americans have in their homes depends, remains to be seen.

Silver offers this insight into what consumers face: “There’s a lot of uncertainty, and uncertainty paralyzes people, whether you’re running a small business or whether you’re investing or just trying to run a household.”

LISTEN: ALI VELSHI AND CALEB SILVER ON UNCERTAINTY

 

 

WATCH: VELSHI EXPLAINS WHAT’S GOING TO COST US MORE

 

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