U.S. Tariffs Increase Back-to-School Costs for American Families
As the back-to-school season approaches, American families are facing increased costs for school supplies and lunches, driven by higher tariffs on imported goods. According to research from The Century Foundation and Groundwork Collaborative, the cost of a typical basket of school items has risen by nearly 8% compared to the previous year. This includes a significant increase in prices for items such as notebooks, lunch boxes, and index cards. The analysis indicates that families will spend approximately $4,000 per student on school supplies and lunches this year. The rise in costs is attributed to steeper U.S. tariffs on a range of imports, which have affected the prices of many school essentials manufactured overseas. Companies like Newell Brands and Logitech have cited increased tariff costs as reasons for price hikes. Additionally, higher energy costs due to geopolitical tensions have further contributed to the rising expenses. 
