FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2026
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org
One year of Trump's tariffs: Wisconsin families are still paying the price as Van Orden and Steil vote for them
Wisconsin families have paid $1,744 in tariff costs over the past year — and will pay even more in 2026 — as congressional Republicans refuse to act
MADISON, Wis. — One year ago today, President Trump stood in the White House Rose Garden and announced sweeping tariffs on goods from countries around the world, setting off a year of rising costs for Wisconsin families and small businesses. Today, Opportunity Wisconsin is marking that anniversary by calling on Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden to stop the tariffs raising costs on their constituents and to fight to return the money already taken from Wisconsin families.
The past year has been a costly one. The average Wisconsin family paid $1,744 in tariff costs in 2025 — and with the new global tariffs now in effect, that figure is projected to climb to $2,510 in 2026 alone. While the Supreme Court struck down many of the original tariffs as illegal, Trump’s new tariffs immediately replaced them and prices for groceries and everyday items remain high.
Since last year Congressmen Steil and Van Orden voted multiple times for Trump’s tariffs, driving up costs for their own constituents. Both congressmen have remained silent on the new global tariffs hurting families and small businesses in Wisconsin.
Wisconsinites are speaking out on the impact of tariffs on the one-year anniversary.
“Congressman Steil voted for illegal tariffs that have made it harder for businesses like mine to succeed,” said Mike, the owner of a Kenosha barbershop. “One year later we’re paying more for products, my customers are coming in less frequently to save money, and there’s no end in sight. We need Bryan Steil and members of Congress to provide relief from high costs – that starts by voting to end these tariffs."
“For the past year we've watched the price of groceries, appliances, and even clothing skyrocket because of costly and illegal tariffs. Wisconsin families are tired of watching prices continue to soar as our members of Congress continue to vote for tariffs and fail to stand up to President Trump,” said Sharon, from Eau Claire. “We've paid enough – it's time to end these tariffs and refund working people for what we've paid."
"Because of tariffs, we've decreased the amount of chocolate chips our chocolate chip cookies get. It sounds silly but when prices go up by 50% - if I were to keep the same amount of chocolate, I'd have to raise the cost a lot,” said Sarah, the owner of a La Crosse bakery. “And even when we don't charge more, customers have less to spend each visit. Over the past year, I've had almost the same number of orders but total sales has gone down by nearly 10%. I want our representatives to take small businesses into consideration and vote no on tariffs"
“Tariffs have slowed our growth, hurt wages and created overall uncertainty in our business,” added TJ, owner of Wonderstate Coffee in Viroqua.
New polling from the Marquette Law School underscores that Wisconsinites have had enough: 60 percent of Wisconsin voters oppose the administration's push to reimpose tariffs after the Supreme Court struck them down as illegal. The rising cost of living remains Wisconsin voters' top concern across party lines.
"One year in, Wisconsin families are tired of paying the price for illegal tariffs, and now they're being asked to pay even more," said Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director. "Congressmen Steil and Van Orden voted for illegal tariffs while their constituents were struggling. Instead of fighting these tariffs, they gave tax breaks to billionaires and stuck Wisconsin families and small businesses with the bill. It's past time for them to stop the tariffs, give their constituents their money back, and start putting Wisconsin families first."
Steil and Van Orden can take action now by voting to refund the money Wisconsin families have paid through illegal tariffs and working to stop new tariffs that are continuing to raise costs.
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