American shoppers are beginning to notice a new line on their receipts: a tariff surcharge, as the U.S.-China trade war continues to impact a wide range of industries. Although President Donald Trump has implemented a 90-day pause on new tariffs, both businesses and consumers are still feeling the pressure—especially companies dependent on Chinese imports. These added fees, which range from fixed amounts to a percentage of the total sale, are now appearing in sectors from fashion to automotive.
Alexandra Fine, CEO and co-founder of the sexual wellness brand Dame, told The Wall Street Journal her company introduced a $5 “Trump Tariff Surcharge” to help offset increased costs. While it doesn’t fully cover the impact, she said it’s meant to raise awareness of how trade policies affect consumers. Dame’s products are manufactured in China, where U.S. import tariffs have soared to 145%.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said that many manufacturers are likely to pass these rising costs on to consumers, especially as most of Amazon’s third-party sellers—responsible for 60% of its sales—are China-based and hit hardest by the tariffs. Even bridal shops are seeing the effects. Paul Virilli, co-owner of Jan’s Boutique in New Jersey, shared that wedding dress prices are rising due to the tariffs, with many of their gowns sourced from China and Vietnam. He remains hopeful for an improvement in U.S.-China relations.
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump is optimistic about negotiating a tariff deal with China. Currently, China has imposed an 84% tariff on American goods. Leavitt added that Trump would be “gracious” if China were willing to return to the negotiating table.
