New tariffs are putting pressure on industries from manufacturing to retail, leaving certain workers most vulnerable to job cuts.
Tariffs can be a real headache for everyone, but they hit some people harder than others. When new taxes are placed on imported goods, it can cause a ripple effect across entire industries, like a stone dropped in a calm pond. Businesses that depend on international trade suddenly have to contend with higher costs, which can lead to some difficult decisions and ultimately impact the workers on the front lines.
The truth is, while some industries might adapt and even thrive, many others face serious hurdles. These economic shifts aren’t just lines on a graph; they are about people’s livelihoods and financial stability.
Furniture Makers
Tariffs on imported wood and other materials used to make furniture can hurt local businesses and the people who work there. A small, family-owned workshop might find it challenging to compete with mass-produced items if the cost of its raw materials goes up. This puts an immense strain on the people who handcraft chairs, tables, and cabinets, often forcing them to make tough financial choices.
For many of these skilled craftspeople, rising costs cut directly into their savings goals. Money that could have gone toward a home purchase, building a retirement fund, or even paying down debt often gets redirected to cover higher business expenses. Over time, these pressures make it harder for small furniture makers to thrive or pass their trade to the next generation.
Manufacturing And Assembly Line Workers
When tariffs are slapped on raw materials or components, the cost of making products at home skyrockets. This puts immense pressure on companies to cut costs, and one of the first places they look is labor. Workers who assemble goods, from electronics to car parts, may find their jobs in jeopardy as companies seek cheaper alternatives or relocate production overseas.
A report from the Economic Policy Institute found that between 2001 and 2018, the US lost 3.7 million manufacturing jobs due to the trade deficit with China. This is a stark reminder of how global trade shifts can directly impact domestic employment. When businesses have to deal with tariffs, those numbers can get even worse, and it becomes harder for workers to find a similar job or even a remote one. They may need to find a side hustle to stay afloat.
Automotive Industry Workers
The automotive industry is a complex web of international supply chains. Tariffs on steel, aluminum, and car parts can drive up the cost of vehicles, which can in turn slow down sales. As demand drops, companies might reduce production, leading to layoffs for factory workers, designers, and engineers. It’s a vicious cycle that can leave thousands of skilled professionals in a tough spot, worried about their future and how they will pay off debt.
Workers in this field often have highly specialized skills, which makes it difficult to transition quickly into other industries. Many face the reality of retraining or taking lower-paying jobs just to stay afloat. When paychecks shrink, some are forced to turn to credit cards or loans to cover essentials, creating long-term financial strain. The ripple effect touches families, local communities, and even regional economies that depend heavily on auto manufacturing.
Agricultural Workers
Tariffs often trigger retaliatory tariffs from other countries, and American agriculture is a frequent target. When countries place taxes on US farm products like soybeans, pork, or dairy, it can cripple the export market. Farmers and farm workers who depend on selling their goods overseas can see their incomes plummet, making it nearly impossible to cover their costs.
The American Farm Bureau Federation reported in 2020 that farm debt reached a record high of $425 billion. For many farmers, the added pressure of tariffs on top of already slim margins is too much to bear. This can affect their ability to manage their budget and build their retirement funds.
Retail Workers
When tariffs make imported goods more expensive, retailers face a tough choice: absorb the costs or raise prices. If prices go up, customers may spend less, leading to lower sales. That can reduce the need for workers across stores. Salespeople, stock clerks, and managers all feel the strain.
Rising costs can weaken a retailer’s bottom line and shake job stability. Shoppers with less money to spend are less likely to visit stores often. That drop in foot traffic makes it harder for businesses to plan ahead. It leaves retail employees vulnerable to cutbacks or fewer hours. With less cash in their pockets, they can’t put money towards their stocks and REITs.
Construction Workers
Tariffs on materials like lumber, steel, and aluminum can make building new homes and commercial buildings much more expensive. This can cause developers to delay or cancel projects, which directly impacts the construction job market. From roofers to electricians and plumbers, a slowdown in new building projects means a downturn in work.
According to a 2022 report from SeattleTimes, tariffs on softwood lumber alone increased the average price of a new single-family home by more than $18,600. When home prices go up, demand can go down, which creates a ripple effect that touches every part of the construction industry.
Textile Workers
The domestic textile industry has long been struggling against a tide of foreign competition, and tariffs can make a tough situation even worse. While some tariffs may be intended to protect local companies, they can also lead to retaliation that shuts US companies out of key export markets. A job at a loom or in a dyeing facility can become much less stable when international sales dry up.
The U.S. textile and apparel industry lost about 27,000 jobs in 2024, with global trade being a significant factor. For workers in this field, who may have decades of experience, this can feel like the world is shrinking around them. It’s hard to stay on budget when your primary source of income is at risk.
Appliance Manufacturing Workers
Manufacturing appliances requires a significant amount of steel and aluminum, and tariffs on these materials are a primary concern. When a washing machine or refrigerator manufacturer has to pay more for its raw materials, it must pass those costs on to the consumer. This can result in fewer sales, leading to a slowdown in production and an increased risk to workers.
AHAM stated in 2018 that steel tariffs could increase the cost of a new appliance by 10%. For many workers, this means a potential reduction in hours or even a layoff.
Electronics Assembly Workers
The electronics industry is highly interconnected, with components often manufactured in one country and assembled in another. Tariffs on parts like circuit boards, microchips, or wiring harnesses can throw a wrench into the whole process. This not only drives up the cost of phones, laptops, and other gadgets, but it can also lead to fewer hours for assembly line workers.
Footwear Industry Workers
The vast majority of shoes sold in the US are imported, and tariffs on footwear can have a significant impact on prices. While a tariff might be intended to help domestic shoemakers, it can also lead to retaliation and harm the few US companies that still export. This puts the handful of people still working in the US footwear industry in a precarious position.
According to the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), over 98% of the footwear sold in the US is imported. This means any tariff on shoes would directly and significantly increase costs for consumers and retailers, putting pressure on retail workers who see fewer sales.
Lumber Industry Workers
The North American lumber market is a touchy subject, with long-running trade disputes over softwood lumber between the U.S. and Canada. Tariffs in this sector can drive up the cost of wood, impacting home building and furniture making, but they can also cause volatility for loggers and mill workers. Their livelihoods are often at the mercy of international trade agreements.
A study by the National Association of Home Builders showed that tariffs on Canadian lumber had added approximately $18,600 to the price of a new single-family home. This volatility makes it challenging for workers in this industry to plan financially or save for retirement.
Aerospace Workers
The aerospace industry depends on a global supply chain for critical materials and components. Tariffs on imports raise production costs and make US aircraft less competitive abroad. Fewer international sales can reduce orders for planes. This leads to increased demand for jobs among engineers, mechanics, and factory workers. Higher costs also ripple through the industry. Companies may delay projects, freeze hiring, or scale back investments. The uncertainty makes it harder for workers to plan their futures. Families and local economies that rely on aerospace jobs feel the strain.
Medical Device Manufacturers
Medical device production requires specialized parts sourced from around the world. Tariffs on plastics, chips, and batteries increase costs for essential products like surgical tools and pacemakers. Rising expenses can limit a company’s ability to expand. This puts hiring and job stability at risk.
Small firms in particular feel the pressure. Many operate on thin margins and don’t have the resources to absorb higher costs. Workers in these companies may face reduced hours or slower wage growth. The burden spreads across the healthcare supply chain.
Transportation And Logistics Workers
The entire shipping industry is built on moving goods across borders. When tariffs reduce the volume of international trade, the need for truck drivers, port workers, and freight coordinators diminishes. Fewer goods to transport means fewer hours and, in some cases, fewer jobs. It is a direct and immediate impact that can send shockwaves through the entire supply chain.
An analysis from Kearney found that a full-blown trade war could reduce trucking industry employment by as much as 1.5%. These are not just numbers; they represent individuals who rely on consistent work to pay their bills and save for their children’s college education or a family vacation.
Seafood Industry Workers
The seafood industry is susceptible to tariffs, as many countries impose reciprocal taxes on US exports. When American fishermen can no longer sell their catch to key markets, they might have to lower their prices at home to remain competitive. This can cut into their profits and even threaten the jobs of everyone from the crew on the boat to the processing plants.
When profits fall, the impact spreads beyond fishermen. Local economies that depend on seafood sales feel the squeeze. Communities tied to fishing jobs face instability. The pressure can ripple through families, small businesses, and entire coastal towns.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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