Study: Trump tariff push could cost US households $2,512 on average by 2026
Mar 14th 2026
After the Supreme Court invalidated major IEEPA tariffs, the administration is pursuing new levies under other trade laws, and Democrats warn those moves could raise the average household’s tariff bill to $2,512 by 2026.
- Supreme Court struck down the administration’s IEEPA tariffs and refunds to importers are expected to total about $175 billion.
- Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee estimate the new tariff program would raise average household costs to $2,512 in 2026, up 44% from $1,745 last year.
- The administration is shifting to other trade authorities including Section 122, Section 301 and Section 232 to restore tariff revenue, with Section 122 levies limited to 150 days without congressional approval.
- A broad Section 301 investigation into 16 trading partners, including China and the European Union, targets alleged overproduction and could lead to sweeping new tariffs.
- Democrats cite a CBO-based view that importers can pass roughly 70% of tariff costs to consumers and that reduced competition could let domestic producers raise prices, effectively making consumers bear the full cost.