American consumers are noticing a new line on their shopping receipts — a tariff surcharge. Even with President Donald Trump’s 90-day pause on tariffs, companies and customers are feeling the impact, especially those that import their products from China.
The surcharges have been popping up across several industries, impacting nearly everything from prices of clothing to automobile manufacturing. Some companies are charging flat fees, while others charge a percentage of the total cost of a given purchase.
Alexandra Fine, CEO and co-founder of Dame, a sexual wellness company, spoke with The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) about her company’s recent $5 "Trump Tariff Surcharge" add-on.
"It doesn’t cover the full cost—not even close—but it felt better than pretending everything’s fine," Fine told WSJ. She said the surcharge was about a "statement" and letting customers "know how these policies are impacting all of us."
The company manufactures its products in China, which has been hit with a 145% import tariff amid escalating trade tensions between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.