Tariffs Dropped—But Don’t Go Ballin’ Just Yet

Written on 05/12/2025
MVEMNT Staff

After months of rising tension and wallet-squeezing price hikes, the U.S. and China have finally agreed to chill—for now. Since President Trump took office in January 2025, he’s gone full throttle on the trade war, ramping tariffs up to 145% on Chinese imports. The result? Prices surged across the board. Amazon carts got lighter. Shein hauls got smaller. And that $12 phone case? Suddenly $22 with shipping.

But today, the two superpowers hit pause with a 90-day tariff truce, offering a brief break from the chaos. Think of it like your auntie and her neighbor finally deciding to stop arguing over who’s been parking in front of whose house… for now.

So what does this “truce” actually mean for your everyday life? Let’s break it down for the brunchers, sneakerheads, Amazon addicts, and folks just tryna make rent.

1. Your Wallet Might Breathe Easier (A Little)

Remember when ordering a phone case or an air fryer suddenly felt like a luxury purchase? That’s ‘cause tariffs had prices on everyday items acting like they came with a designer label. With the U.S. dropping tariffs from 145% down to 30% on Chinese imports, expect lower prices on things like electronics, clothes, and all the random TikTok items you didn’t need but still bought.

But don’t get too comfortable—tariffs are still alive and well on stuff like cars, steel, and pharmaceuticals. So no, your dream car isn’t about to get cheaper.

2. Your 401(k) Just Caught a Little Glow-Up

If you’ve got money sitting in a retirement account or investments (shout out to the Roth IRA crew), this truce had Wall Street doing backflips. The stock market popped off with gains across the board—Apple and Nvidia saw nice little boosts. Even your boring index fund just got a little sexier.

3. Jobs and Growth: Green Light, For Now

Economists are predicting a slight boost in U.S. growth—about 0.4%, which is like adding a shot of espresso to a tired economy. That could mean more jobs and a little more security for folks in industries like retail, logistics, and manufacturing.

Translation: Some of y’all might actually get that raise this summer.

4. Inflation? Still Lurkin’.

Yes, prices could go down, but let’s not act brand new. Inflation has been eating everybody’s pockets for months. Tariff relief helps, but it won’t fix everything overnight. Groceries, rent, and gas still might not show you mercy. The Fed is still watching, and interest rate decisions are still TBD.

5. It’s Giving “Trial Separation” Energy

Don’t call it a happy ending just yet. This deal is only good for 90 days. If the U.S. and China don’t come to a permanent agreement by then, it’s back to square one—and so are the high prices. Basically, this summer is a test run. Let’s hope the grown folks can keep the drama low.

So… What Now?

Enjoy the slight dip in prices. Invest wisely. And maybe don’t wait too long on that back-to-school shopping. Just remember—this ain’t forever. It’s a little peace before the next possible storm.

And if you’re still confused about tariffs and trade? Just know this: global politics be wild, but your cart total might look a tiny bit friendlier this week.