The subject of tariffs has been one of the most Googled since the election, and consumers who weren't aware of what a tariff is are learning those foreign companies and countries do not pay them.

According to MSNBC. President-elect Donald Trump even said on the campaign trail that the word tariff is “the most beautiful word" in the dictionary.

He says he plans to increase tariffs with a blanket 20% tariff on every partner that trades with the United States and up to 60% on most goods imported from China. If this happens, then guess who pays? We do.

 Tariffs are not, in fact, paid for by foreign countries. It is the importers, aka the American companies, that pay tariffs. And those companies, universally, end up passing that “tax” onto the consumer in the form of higher prices.

According to MSN, if Trump keeps this campaign promise, these top 10 essentials will be unaffordable for the middle class.

  • Groceries
  • Healthcare
  • Homeownership
  • Quality Childcare
  • Assisted Living and Elder Care
  • Retirement
  • College Education
  • Home Repairs and Maintenance
  • Cars
  • Travel and Vacations

It doesn't end there, either. According to the BBC, in many cases, when one country imposes a tariff on another, that country will return the favor, resulting in a trade war.

Meanwhile, according to Business Insider, the running tally of companies bracing for Trump tariffs to raise prices is growing, including one of the biggest in the country, Walmart. From smaller retailers to big box stores and supermarkets, many are even stocking up on inventory or cutting back.

LOOK: Iconic products released the year you were born

American history can often be remembered through our consumer habits. That's why Stacker ranked the iconic products released from the year you were born, starting in 1919. From Slurpees to iPods, this list is a pop culture-infused trip down memory lane.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

Most Popular Songs From Movies

Stacker used Billboard data to highlight the top 50 songs from movies that have performed the best on the Hot 100 charts, as of July 2024.

Gallery Credit: Nicole Johnson

More From PopCrush