(The Hill) — Tariff concerns are affecting parents as they begin back-to-school shopping early to avoid the higher costs they believe are coming for school supplies, according to a Wednesday survey from U.S. News.
Sixty percent of parents have already begun back-to-school shopping, as 62 percent expect to pay more this year than last year, according to the survey.
Eighty-five percent of parents said they were concerned about rising prices due to tariffs when thinking about back-to-school shopping.
The survey found that 57 percent of Americans are cutting back on back-to-school shopping due to concerns of rising prices, with the top categories targeted for drawbacks including clothes and shoes, accessories and technology.
Thirteen percent of parents expect to pay more than $500 per child in back-to-school costs this year, almost double the amount that felt the same in 2024.
Concerns about how tariffs will affect prices come as President Trump aims to implement new tariffs on Aug. 7, which has caused markets to fall around the world. While the president has discussed frameworks for deals with some countries, others, such as Canada, face a 35 percent tariff. The president delayed a similar tariff on Mexico.
“The complexities of a Deal with Mexico are somewhat different than other Nations because of both the problems, and assets, of the Border,” Trump posted Thursday on Truth Social. “We have agreed to extend, for a 90 Day period, the exact same Deal as we had for the last short period of time.”
