The Ultimate Tariff Buying Guide

Worried that Trump’s policies might make stuff more expensive? Here’s what to purchase right now, what to skip and what’s a maybe.

Takeaways

• Consider buying essential items like gadgets, cars, and kid essentials before prices potentially increase due to tariffs.
  Summary by Bloomberg AI
• Be cautious when buying non-essential items like decor, TVs, and furniture, and only purchase if you can afford it and weren't planning to put it on a high-interest credit card.
  Summary by Bloomberg AI
• Avoid stockpiling goods, traveling without assessing the impact of tariffs on airfares and accommodations, and going into debt to make a purchase.
  Summary by Bloomberg AI

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From air-conditioned suburban malls to conspicuous consumption and the promise of free shipping, shopping is practically an American pastime — especially when there’s a deal to be had. So with President Donald Trump’s April 2 announcement and the prospect of imminent higher prices across the board, it’s no surprise that people were busting out their credit cards and panic-buying; in March, retail sales increased 1.4%, the most in two years.

Feeding the financial anxiety are headlines about companies urging shoppers to “buy before it’s too late” — not to mention that shelves could be sitting empty, a recession could be coming, and holidays are already looking dire. And, yes, there’s no denying many goods will become more expensive. Incoming cargo shipments have already plummeted and less inventory means more consumer competition, leading to price hikes.

Yet that doesn’t mean you should pack your shopping cart until it’s overflowing. “The tariff situation is dynamic,” said Kristy Xu, founder of Global Wealth Harbor. Her basic rules: Don’t buy stuff that could expire before use, or that you simply don’t need, and steer around anything that seems likely to end up being exempted. Here’s what supply-chain analysts, financial advisers and other experts recommend adding to your cart, and what’s a wait-and-see.

Green Light: Gadgets, Cars and Gear

Some consumer goods are staples of modern life — smartphones and car seats among them. If you need one of these items in the near future, consider purchasing them before prices potentially soar.

Upgrade Necessary Electronics
While Trump has so far exempted smartphones, computers and other electronics from his so-called reciprocal tariffs, he said levies on semiconductors and other consumer technology are planned. Electronics from China are also still subject to other levies, including a 50% tariff on semiconductors imposed by the Biden administration. Apple has shifted some production elsewhere in recent years — some iPhones to India and AirPods to Vietnam, for instance — though much of the company’s supply chain is still linked to China, said Willy Shih, a professor of management practice at Harvard Business School. “You have to appreciate the enormity of the capacity that was in China,” he said.

If your laptop or cellphone is near the end of its lifespan, Shih said it’s worth considering a new one, especially if you were already planning the purchase. “If you have kids going to college in the fall and you want to buy them a computer, I would think about it,” he said, noting that inventories will be tested in the high-demand season for laptops.

Test-Drive Cars
Trump has implemented a 25% tariff on auto imports, a measure that’s expected to push up prices for companies in countries such as Japan, Germany and South Korea. Although the president later signed orders to prevent multiple auto tariffs from “stacking” on top of each other, prices could still increase by as much as $12,000, according to a study from Anderson Economic Group. If you already planned to buy a car sometime in 2025, bringing your purchase forward a few months could save you thousands of dollars, according to Ram Ganeshan, professor of operations and supply chain at William & Mary.

Before making such a big financial decision, Amy Hubble, principal at Radix Financial, advises asking yourself if you truly need a new car. Interest rates for new loans are currently more than 9%, according to researcher Cox Automotive, and already-high prices have pushed up the average monthly payment to $734, data from Edmunds shows. Remember, too, that vehicles tend to decrease in value as soon as you drive off the lot; used vehicles could be a savvy alternative.

Buy Kid Essentials
Parents should consider big-ticket purchases for children sooner rather than later. The vast majority of car seats and strollers are made in China, which faces minimum tariffs of 145%, according to Karen Reardanz, director of editorial and brand at the e-commerce website Babylist. Cribs and other nursery furniture — and also non-essentials, such as toys — could face similar price increases.

“Brands are holding back shipments and delaying product launches, waiting to see if tariffs shift,” Reardanz said. “That means parents could see emptier shelves later this year.”

Yellow Light: Decor, Portfolio Changes and TVs

These nice-to-have items and investments aren’t strictly necessary, but could be worth a look if you have the funds or were already planning on buying.

Examine Your Kitchen Counter
The vast majority of small kitchen appliances such as toasters, microwaves and blenders come from China, said Rob Handfield, a professor of supply chain management at North Carolina State University. Bigger appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines mostly come to the US from Mexico — meaning that as long as a tariff pause on goods compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement remains in place, prices will remain relatively unaffected for now. One possible exception: South Korea, which faces a 10% baseline tariff, still exports some appliances to the US, according to Handfield.

Consider What Furniture You Need
Products from popular retailers such as Ikea and Restoration Hardware are largely manufactured abroad, with the latter company sourcing roughly 70% of its products from Asia. Williams-Sonoma, the parent company of Pottery Barn and West Elm, said it may selectively raise prices since tariffs could cut into its net income.

If there are big-ticket decor items you planned to buy or may require in the next year, make sure that you can actually afford the cost and aren’t putting it on a high-interest credit card. “If you were planning to buy in the next six to 12 months, moving sooner might save you money,” said Mark Stancato, founder of VIP Wealth Advisors. “But if it wasn’t already a need, tariffs aren’t your excuse to start spending.”

Diversify With International Investments
There are a few ways to protect your portfolio amid the evolving tariff news. One idea to bring up with your financial adviser is how to get international exposure should US markets continue to experience volatility. A broad basket of developed non-US stocks such as the MSCI EAFE Index can help investors balance a heavy allocation to the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indexes, said Mike Bailey, director of research at FBB Capital Partners. Exchange-traded funds such as BlackRock’s iShares MSCI EAFE ETF or the Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF are easy ways to add international equities to your holdings.

Consider Gold
The precious metal surged to a new all-time high of $3,500 in April, and banks predict it could keep climbing. Considered a classic hedge, gold can help diversify a portfolio. Aside from buying the physical metal — which will require storage, insurance and upkeep fees — ETFs such as SPDR Gold Shares and iShares Gold Trust are popular ways to gain exposure to gold. Just make sure to read the fine print, said Jarrad Brown, a senior financial planner at Global Financial Consultants, and choose something backed by the physical commodity.

Think About Large-Screen TVs
While not a critical item for American households, televisions — especially the largest ones — are likely to see price increases in the coming months. “Basically anything over 75 inches, those are all going to come from China,” Shih said. And while manufacturers are attempting to figure out how to shift production elsewhere, “if you wanted that 108-inch TV, that’s going to cost a lot more,” Shih said.

Red Light: Stockpiling Goods and Traveling

Tariffs aren’t an excuse for hoarding, but they might make you want to reconsider your travel itinerary.

Hold Off on Pantry Staples
Buying everyday products in bulk is only smart if you’ll eventually use them all. In other words, don’t “panic buy,” said Prudence Zhu, founder of Enso Financial. Though prices for items such as toilet paper, detergent and cleaning supplies could rise in the coming months, the increase won’t be enough to make a meaningful difference in your budget, according to Global Wealth Harbor’s Xu.

Skip Disposable Baby Goods
Parents can breathe a sigh of relief: Everyday essentials such as diapers, wipes and most infant formulas won’t see a huge impact from tariffs because the majority of these products are manufactured domestically, Babylist’s Reardanz said. Wait to purchase these necessities until you actually need them.

Assess Your Travel Plans
Due to tariffs shaking global markets, the dollar has weakened this year. That downward trend shows no signs of subsiding, so international travelers should expect worse deals when scoping out a trip or traveling abroad, said Debby Cannon, director of the Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration at Georgia State University.

Increased costs to assemble airplanes in countries such as the UK and France may eventually be passed on to consumers through airfares as well, according to Avia Solutions Group. China is also a major producer of luggage, Handfield said, which could mean higher prices if you’re in the market for a new suitcase.

It’s not all bad news: There could be deals to find at high-end hotels to attract customers and airfare will likely fluctuate as airlines adjust to changing demand and competition. If travelers stay attuned, they may not notice any differences — and could even benefit from falling prices this summer, Cannon said.

Still Not Sure If You Should Buy? Remember These Expert Tips

Try Products First
Especially for bigger purchases, Ryan Johnson at Hundred Financial Planning encourages clients to think about “experimenting,” if possible. “Review return policies so you don’t have to feel like you’re committed to it forever,” he said. “Give yourself a taste of the thing you’d like to buy, just with less strings attached.”

Don’t Check Out
Samantha Mockford, associate wealth adviser at Citrine Capital, suggests letting items sit in your online shopping cart and waiting 24 to 72 hours before purchasing. “If the novelty fades during that time, then you know that shopping for the product gave you more pleasure than owning it,” she said.

Avoid Going Into Debt
If you have to take on any form of credit card debt to buy the item, skip it. Interest rates on credit cards are now averaging more than 20%, which means carrying a balance from month-to-month can quickly add up.

Shop Secondhand
For luxury items or things you’ll only use for a short time, Zhu at Enso Financial recommends looking at pre-owned options. Buying secondhand is sustainable and cheaper — regardless of potential tariffs. Buying bright, shiny new things may feel like the American dream, but there’s no shame in being resourceful.