Trump Tariffs Driving Up Living Costs for Majority of Americans, Survey Reveals Impact on US-India Trade

President Donald Trump's administration has implemented substantial tariffs on multiple foreign nations, creating economic ripples domestically.

According to a recent ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos survey, a significant portion of Americans report that President Trump's tariff policies are increasing their cost of living and negatively impacting their household finances.

The study revealed widespread financial strain among consumers. Approximately 70 percent of Americans indicated they're spending more on groceries compared to the previous year. Around 60 percent reported higher utility costs, while roughly 40 percent noted increased expenditures on healthcare, housing, and fuel, as reported by ABC News.

The tariffs' economic consequences are felt across political affiliations. Majorities of Democrats (89 percent), independents (73 percent), and Republicans (52 percent) reported higher grocery expenses this year. The survey also found that women are more likely than men to report increased spending across nearly all categories.

The Trump administration's steep tariffs on various countries, including India, during his second term have drawn criticism. About 65 percent of Americans believe these policies have worsened inflation and damaged the economy. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing these tariff policies.

The United States recently imposed a 50 percent tariff on India, one of America's largest trading partners. This includes 25 percent secondary duties on Indian goods, implemented in August after India continued purchasing oil from Russia.

The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) reports that India's exports to the US decreased dramatically by 37.5 percent between May and September 2025, falling from USD 8.8 billion to USD 5.5 billion, representing one of the steepest short-term export declines in recent years.

The GTRI analysis determined that the tariffs, which started at 10 percent in April and escalated to 50 percent by late August, caused substantial losses across various sectors.

Even tariff-free products, constituting nearly one-third of India's total US shipments, experienced a 47 percent reduction, dropping from USD 3.4 billion in May to USD 1.8 billion in September.

Pharmaceutical exports declined by 15.7 percent, while industrial metals and auto parts facing uniform global tariffs saw an overall reduction of 16.7 percent.

Specific sectors showed notable decreases: aluminum exports fell by 37 percent, copper by 25 percent, auto parts by 12 percent, and iron and steel by 8 percent.

Labor-intensive industries including textiles, gems and jewelry, chemicals, agricultural foods, and machinery—collectively representing 60 percent of India's US exports—suffered a 33 percent decline, decreasing from USD 4.8 billion in May to USD 3.2 billion in September.