The kids might need to make Mom’s cards and gifts this year because Trump’s trade war has made Mother’s Day staples more expensive.
The U.S. imports billions worth of cut flowers and greens, mostly from South American countries facing steep tariffs. Local flower shops in places like Texas, Tennessee, and Ohio say they feel forced to increase prices this holiday season just to stay in business.
Trump’s policies aren’t just taxing flowers either. Vases, containers, drip tape, and greenhouse plastic are all subject to higher costs this holiday weekend.
For new mothers, Trump’s tariffs are essentially a baby tax, hiking prices on essential items like strollers and car seats. Natalie Gordon, founder and CEO of Babylist, said she’s already seeing a “potentially devastating” rise in the cost of baby items. Gordon said one major stroller brand is considering raising prices by $400 on their most popular models. Stroller and car seat maker Cybex said it would raise prices starting this month. “These tariffs are essentially a baby tax on already struggling families,” said Gordon.
Despite Trump dismissing the importance of toys and baby strollers, Elizabeth Mahon, the owner of Three Littles, a baby store in Washington State, underscored the real danger and risk of raising prices on new parents. “No one is dying if they can’t buy a toy, but if they don’t have access to car seats, kids will get seriously injured,” she said.
For women looking to wed and potentially start a family, Trump’s tariffs amount to a love tax on newlyweds. Wedding industry experts say Trump’s tariff tax will raise the price of an average wedding in the U.S. due to the industry’s heavy reliance on imported dresses, flowers, chocolate, furniture, and alcohol. Ahna Han, a florist who works with The Knot, says she’s already seen suppliers of tools, materials, and vases charging 10% more due to the chaotic price changes brought on by Trump’s tariffs.
Trump didn’t just make it more expensive to be a mother or begin starting a family. Trump made it more dangerous and difficult for women to live through their pregnancies.
During his first three months in office, Trump betrayed his campaign promises to women and took direct aim at access to abortion and birth control, issuing executive orders and taking other administrative actions that reverse efforts to protect and advance access to abortion and birth control, and that threaten health care providers nationwide. 60 percent of women who seek abortions are already mothers, and lack of access to care has led to a drastic spike in maternal mortality rates — leaving kids like Amber Thurman’s without their moms.
“Trump says he loves moms, but his tariff taxes say otherwise. Thanks to his trade war, Mother’s Day bouquets come with a side of inflation this year – and not just the air in ballons,” said American Bridge 21st Century spokesperson Brandon Weathersby. “Trump’s policies are anything but family-friendly, and they especially aren’t friendly to new or aspiring mothers. He’s broken nearly every campaign promise he made to women across America and betrayed them immediately after taking office.”
Published: May 9, 2025 | Last Modified: May 12, 2025