Another raft of import taxes has just come into force during President Trump’s second term – tariffs that have never been far from the headlines. But as the latest levies bite, a central question lingers: are they working?
The BBC’s Samira Hussain has examined how these tariffs are affecting the US economy, who pays the price, and whether they are meeting their objectives. One striking figure has emerged from the analysis: US households may be paying 1.5% more because of them.
“BBC's Samira Hussain probes whether Trump's tariffs are effective as US households face 1.5% price increase.”
That statistic lies at the heart of the debate. If the cost of tariffs is passed on to consumers, then the intended protection of American industry comes at a direct price for families. But whether that 1.5% figure represents a temporary adjustment or a lasting burden remains unclear.
Hussain’s report poses the question directly: are they working? The answer, so far, is uncertain – and the new wave of tariffs only deepens the uncertainty.