Tariffs Deliver the Knockout Punch to U.S. Wallets—Goldman Sachs Warns

EDITOR'S NOTES

This ain’t your safe-space economics. Goldman Sachs — yes, the suit-tie cabal — confirms it: the tariff beast is shifting its appetite from corporate fat cats to the average American earner. We’re seeing a brutal reroute of cost burdens. As businesses hunker down, consumers get the bill, and it’s only going to get worse. Under the hood: inflation, geopolitical judo, and the slow bleed of your purchasing power. Hands off the mainstream narrative—time to brace.

Derek Wolfe Aug 25, 25

Consumers Set to Absorb the Majority of Tariff Costs

Goldman Sachs, led by Jan Hatzius, just dropped a note nobody with half a conscience should ignore. As of June 2025, Americans had shouldered roughly 22% of Trump's tariffs—tiny crumbs compared to the bulk businesses swallowed. But by October 2025, that share is projected to balloon to 67%—two‑thirds of the pain shifted onto your shoulders.

It’s not just math—it’s a sneaky assault on your wallet. Businesses that once absorbed costs are now dumping them on consumers through price hikes. Goldman sees business burden falling from 64% to less than 10%, while foreign exporters’ share edges up modestly from 14% to 25%.

The Inflation Time Bomb

Look around: laptops, groceries, cars—price tags are climbing not because companies get greedy, but because they're trying to stay afloat. Goldman spells it out: core PCE inflation is ticking higher—3.2% by December, when stripped of tariff effects it would’ve hovered near 2.4%.

Governments rake in billions—yes, but here’s your reality check. That money doesn’t stay in your pocket. It bleeds out in everyday spending: inflation, tighter budgets, slower wage growth, and eroded autonomy.

Retailers and Consumers Brace for the Blow

The worst part? The beast is still young. Initial pricing restraint from retailers like Home Depot gave way to grudging hikes. Walmart warned of coming increases. Either you pay now, or they’ll find another way to bleed you dry later.

Goldman Sachs vs. the Political Machine

And yes—politicians are in damage control. Trump lashes out, flaming Goldman Sachs and its CEO David Solomon, urging them to stick to DJing. But Goldman stands its ground. Chief economist David Mericle insists the data doesn’t bend to power.

Time to Wake Up

You’re not just statistics in a Goldman deck. This is your daily livelihood being siphoned off. Call it guerrilla economics or a silent inflation war—either way, the trenches are real.

Before the administration’s narrative sanitizes your reality, digest this: tariffs are a stealth tax. And hell's bells—they’re coming for nearly 70% of it.