Do U.S. tariffs primarily hurt American consumers?

Context

Tariffs are taxes imposed on imported goods, designed to protect domestic industries but often raising prices for consumers. The debate over whether U.S. tariffs primarily harm American consumers hinges on competing economic effects: while tariffs may shield domestic workers and firms from foreign competition, they typically increase costs for businesses and households buying imported goods or products containing imported inputs. This question has become urgent as the Trump administration has implemented significant tariff increases since 2025, prompting economists and policymakers to weigh short-term consumer pain against claimed long-term industrial benefits.