Trump Tariffs Expected to Increase Back-to-School Costs by Nearly $4,000 Per Child
A report from Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation reveals that U.S. families are facing a significant rise in back-to-school expenses due to Trump's tariffs on imported goods. School supplies have increased nearly 8%, while packed lunches rose almost 11%. Families could spend up to $4,000 per child during the 2026-27 school year. The report attributes rising costs to higher fuel prices and import duties affecting products like notebooks, markers, glue, lunch boxes, sandwich bread, apple juice, and blueberries. Companies such as Newell Brands Inc., Logitech International SA, and ACCO Brands Corporation have raised prices in response to these pressures. Analysts note that tariffs are a major contributor to inflationary trends. The findings highlight growing financial strain on U.S. households, with many relying more heavily on credit cards and savings for basic needs like groceries.