As president and CEO of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, I want to address an issue that impacts us all — new taxes on products from Mexico, Canada and China. These tariffs will increase the cost of everyday items, including food, vehicles, electronics and medical supplies.
One of the most significant changes will be higher food prices. The cost of avocados from Mexico could rise by 35%, pushing a single avocado to $3 or more. If you enjoy guacamole, be prepared to pay nearly double.
It’s not just avocados. Prices for tomatoes, peppers, and limes — staples in many meals — could increase by 20% to 30%. The U.S. imports $2.5 billion worth of tomatoes from Mexico annually, meaning these tariffs will drive up prices at grocery stores and restaurants across Illinois.
This situation extends beyond food. Other products will also see price hikes, including:
- Cars and trucks: Many vehicles and parts come from Mexico and Canada. New tariffs could increase the cost of new cars by $1,500 or more, and repairs may be pricier.
- Computers and phones: Electronics from China will become more expensive due to these tariffs. A basic laptop currently priced at $500 may rise to $600 or more.
- Clothing and shoes: Apparel and footwear from these countries could see a 15-20% increase, making back-to-school shopping more costly.
- Medicine and health care supplies: Medications sourced from Mexico and China, including pain relievers, will likely see price increases, further burdening healthcare costs.
For families in Illinois, this translates to less disposable income for groceries, school supplies, and daily necessities. Small businesses, particularly restaurants and car repair shops, may struggle to keep prices low, with some facing layoffs or closures.
The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce believes these tariffs will adversely affect businesses and working families. We urge leaders to reconsider this approach and seek alternative solutions to support small businesses and ensure fair pricing for all.
We will continue collaborating with community leaders and government officials to advocate for a stronger economy for everyone. Now is the time to unite and protect Illinois families and businesses from unjust price increases.
— Jaime di Paulo, CEO, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Smoot-Hawley tariffs
The current administration in Washington seems to be of the opinion that tariffs are the cure for all of our financial ailments. They aren’t. Invoking them, especially against our two greatest trading partners, will lead to nothing but economic chaos. In 1930, over the pleas of 1,000 economists. President Herbert Hoover signed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930. Immediately thereafter, 25 other countries responded with reciprocal tariffs. U.S. imports and exports dropped dramatically. Due to the economic disruption it caused, the official U.S. Senate website describes the Smoot-Hawley tariff act as “among the most catastrophic acts in congressional history.” Hoover lost his bid for reelection, and Sen. Reed Smoot and Rep. Willis C. Hawley lost their seats in Congress. It was too late. Economic stagnation continued until the 1940s and World War II.
More recently, in 2023, the United States imported $3.9 trillion worth of goods and services and exported $3.1 trillion. More than $600 billion of those exports went to Canada and Mexico. Canada and Mexico are the leading customers for U.S. exports. They will suffer the most from the tariffs and will no doubt seek to inflict some suffering on us.
The trade imbalance will not be cured (if it even needs to be cured) through tariffs. Technological improvements will be the source. In the meantime, we should avoid the loss of U.S. jobs that will result from our export markets being choked by tariffs our customers will erect in response to our ill-advised move. Let’s not follow the example of the Smoot-Hawley tariffs.
— Michael L. Weissman, Deerfield
Disrupt the world economy
Trump is an admirer of President William McKinley, but his gaze should be directed toward Hoover who signed the protectionist Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act bill in 1930 despite the pleas of many economists not to sign it. Ultimately, it disrupted the global economy and in the view of many historians was a contributing factor that led to World War II.
President Joe Biden and Trump both have justifiably supported tariffs on Chinese goods, since the Chinese government has continually given subsidies to its makers of electric vehicles and other industries which undermine American manufacturers.
However, tariffs directed toward Mexico and Canada undermine our relationships with our friends and only create anger and resentment. Trump’s remarks regarding border enforcement and illegal drug trafficking in Canada are somewhat exaggerated, and even if justified, should be addressed through professional and amicable diplomatic channels.
Trump’s added duties like Smoot-Hawley will raise the cost of living, foster inefficient production, discourage investment, and hinder the sale of American exports due to retaliatory measures adopted by those nations that are targeted.
One of the legacies of World War II was support for the free movement of goods embodied by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, the forerunner of the World Trade Organization, which sought to avoid the protectionist mistakes of the past that Trump seems to be repeating.
Trump has inherited from Biden an economy that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has described as “solid” and “healthy.” These tariffs and the possible use of more tariffs in the future — for example, against the European Union — mirror the past and threaten the progress we have made since the pandemic, and could ultimately disrupt the world economy and harm American consumers including many who voted for Trump.
— Larry Vigon, Chicago
Tariff medicine
Trump’s tariffs are like medicine. They taste bad going down but are good for you.
— Roberto l. Garcia, Chicago
Inappropriate appeal
After reading Heidi Stevens’ column “Finding courage to go rogue for humanity,” (Feb. 2) it should be noted that the utter inappropriateness of the Episcopal bishop of Washington’s sermon lay not in her appeal to Trump, but in the forum she chose to deliver it. Any good preacher knows that you never pick out one individual for admonition in a sermon delivered in a church full of people.
The scriptures provide a mechanism for Christians to admonish one another (Matthew 18:15-20). One goes to that person, one on one (i.e., in private), to address the issue. The failure of the bishop to follow that clear scriptural mandate is what made her action so inappropriate, not the message itself.
It would have been much more appropriate, to say nothing of potentially more effective, if the bishop had requested a private meeting with the president and there made her appeal.
— The Rev. Rodney Juell, Joliet
Birds of a feather
A Jan. 31 headline in Tribune: “Burke seeks clemency from Trump.”
Ed Burke and Donald Trump? Birds of a feather. ‘Nuff said.
— Bob Chimis, Elmwood Park
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