Could Trump’s tariffs damage Ohio’s economy? Here are the products that will cost more
President Trump’s administration implemented new tariffs on imports from some of the U.S.’s major suppliers and Ohio consumers may feel the pinch. Mexico, Canada and China have imposed retaliatory tariffs, further driving prices up on everything from peaches to iPhones.
Despite Trump’s allegations that neighboring nations continue to allow illegal drugs to enter at the borders, Canada, Mexico and China are the U.S.’s largest trading partners, according to ABC News. The U.S. depends on goods and items from these countries, and a new trade war has the potential to upend economic partnerships.
Jonathan Ernest, an economics professor at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, told Spectrum News1 in February, “Overall, it has a negative effect on the economy in terms of higher prices for consumers and more expensive to build and purchase things.”
This could cause significant implications for Ohio’s economy. The Yale Budget Lab predicted that these tariffs could cost the average household up to $2,000 annually.
Potential price changes in Ohio
CEOs surveyed by The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland predicted that inflation, as determined by the Consumer Price Index, will rise 3.2% over the next 12 months, which could compound consumer costs in the longer term. These predictions, coupled with anticipatory trade tariffs, could further complicate the financial situation for many Ohio households.
Ohioans should brace for potential price increases on a wide range of products.
Groceries
- Fruits and vegetables - especially avocados
- Soybeans and soy-based products
- Coffee
- Corn products
Manufacturing and construction
- Steel and aluminum
- Automotive industry
- Lumber and construction supplies
- Logistics and trade
Cincinnati serves as a major logistic hub, adjustments to import and export tariffs may influence the flow of goods through the region.
Consumer goods
- Furniture - especially items made in Canada
- Electronics like phones and computers
- Gasoline and petroleum products
Impact on Ohio Jobs
The new tariffs implemented by President Trump could significantly impact jobs in Ohio, and Dr. Gary Painter, a professor in the University of Cincinnati College of Business, has some bleak projections.
Automotive industry: Ohio is home to nearly 100,000 auto and related industry workers
- Construction: Rising costs for building materials, especially lumber, could lead to job losses and project slowdowns.
- Agriculture: Ohio’s agricultural sector is one of the most affected, with potential losses of approximately $700 million in exports
Steel and aluminum manufacturing: The overall impact could be negative due to higher costs for metal-using industries
Manufacturing: There are 36 jobs in Ohio’s metal-using manufacturing industries for every job in steel and aluminum manufacturing
Columbus Business First reported that consumers in Central Ohio could see increased prices on a wide range of goods, from groceries and gas to sports equipment and electronics, due to the tariffs.
Some negative trends have started to emerge in the recent announcements of layoffs at major employers like CNN, Macy’s and the CDC, along with pullbacks in planned electric vehicle battery plant projects.
This story was originally published March 6, 2025 at 4:21 PM