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Marketplace · Friday, July 24, 2026

Tariffs Become 'Economic Wallpaper' Amidst Consumer Strain

Stacy Vanek Smith suggests that tariffs have become like 'economic wallpaper,' having an impact but no longer commanding significant attention. She notes that in 2025, tariffs cost households an estimated $1,000, a figure expected to increase, contributing to consumer difficulties with inflation and stagnant wages.

The tape

3 quotes
Seems to me now that the the tariffs, well impactful on an individual basis and with small businesses and, you know, big businesses too. Um, they've kind of become like economic wallpaper.
Stacy Vanek Smith
We got numbers from the tax Foundation that in 2025, tariffs cost households about a thousand dollars.
Stacy Vanek Smith
I think consumers are just in an increasingly difficult situation trying to pay for things. And I think that $1,000, which is expected to be more this year, is really starting to change.
Stacy Vanek Smith
Heard on Marketplace — “A year later, is Trump’s investment in Intel… a win-win?, published Friday, July 24, 2026. Heardvine summarizes and quotes with attribution and timestamps, and links to the original everywhere.
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Tariffs Become 'Economic Wallpaper' Amidst Consumer Strain — Heardvine