There are several economic players and industries affected by the imposition of tariffs by the Donald Trump administration in the United States. However, according to data from the latest Statista dossier on the impact of tariffs on U.S. e-commerce, the most affected categories are fashion and home goods. The study describes how the rising cost of imports, combined with regulatory and consumer changes, could redefine the landscape of e-commerce in the United States over the next five years.
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What effects of tariffs will the fashion and home categories face?
The report details that, in the high-tariff scenario projected for 2025–2029, fashion products (clothing, footwear, accessories) would face an average tariff of 12.55%, far above the 1.83% applied to other imports. This immediately increases the price of clothing and shoes that dominate sales in marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, Temu, or SHEIN.
In the home category, the risk is concentrated in high-volume, everyday-use products such as:
- Pots, pans, and kitchen utensils.
- Cutlery, plates, and disposable cups.
- Lamps and LED bulbs.
- Electric toothbrushes and small appliances.
- Furniture and decorative items.
The combination of high import dependency and rising logistics costs leaves these categories with little room to absorb the tariff impact.
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Why is Donald Trump pushing these tariffs, and how will they affect e-commerce?
Donald Trump’s proposals include a widespread increase in tariffs, in some cases tripling current rates, which would bring the average tariff to its highest point since 1969. The political goal is to encourage domestic production and reduce reliance on imports, especially from China.
For e-commerce, this means that a large portion of the imported catalog will face higher acquisition costs. The Statista dossier estimates that, if these tariffs remain, the size of the U.S. e-commerce market would shrink by about $320 billion by 2029.
How will e-commerce prices change because of tariffs?
The report indicates that 76% of Amazon sellers expect an increase in product costs, and 63% plan to pass it directly to consumers through price hikes. In the case of North American D2C brands, 71% confirm they will have to raise prices, while 49% expect a “significant” increase in the final import cost (landed cost).
This scenario pressures consumers to seek cheaper alternatives, make purchases earlier, or reduce the frequency with which they buy certain goods.
What additional risks do international marketplaces face?
Cross-border trade faces another threat: the possible modification of the “de minimis” rule, which currently allows packages worth up to USD 800 to enter without paying tariffs. According to Statista, in 2023, 30% of SHEIN and Temu shipments entered under this scheme. If the regulation changes, prices on these platforms could rise significantly, reducing their appeal.
A profound change for e-commerce in the U.S.
The scenario outlined in the Statista report shows that Donald Trump’s tariff policies will have a direct and disproportionate effect on the fashion and home categories. With higher tariffs, U.S. e-commerce will face a more expensive, competitive, and polarized market, where brands will need to reinvent their supply chains and pricing strategies to maintain customer loyalty.
In this context, adaptability will be key: those who manage to reconfigure logistics, strengthen local production, and communicate value to consumers will be better positioned to withstand the effects of tariffs and sustain their market share.
