New U.S. tariffs are hitting wallets harder than a Netflix subscription hike 📈—and could push up to 875,000 Americans below the poverty line by 2025, according to a Yale University report. Talk about a plot twist no one asked for.
The Budget Lab’s study reveals that rising import taxes act like a stealth tax, squeezing household budgets and widening the poverty gap. Imagine paying extra for everything from sneakers to smartphones 🛒—except this isn’t a limited-time sale; it’s a long-term economic squeeze.
Why the spike? The U.S. average tariff rate has jumped to over 18%—the highest since the Great Depression era 🕰️. These costs ripple through the economy, inflating prices faster than TikTok trends. And since poverty thresholds are tied to inflation, more families get tagged as ‘poor’ even if their incomes stay flat.
Here’s the kicker: Low-income households bear the brunt. Think of it like a group bill split—except some pay way more. The report highlights how tariffs unevenly drain purchasing power, leaving vulnerable families scrambling. 🚨
With poverty measures already sparking debates (shoutout to the Census Bureau’s two competing metrics), this tariff-fueled crisis adds another layer to America’s economic drama. Will policymakers hit pause on trade wars? Stay tuned.
