How Trade Wars Hit Your Wallet & Why Expats Have the Advantage
Week of Aug 12th
Why This Still Matters — And Why It’s Getting Realer
Tariffs aren’t just a news headline—they’re a daily impact on what your family can afford, where you spend, and how long your savings last.
As of today:
The U.S.–China tariff truce has been extended 90 more days, preventing a spike, but uncertainty lingers ahead of the holiday shopping season.
The effective U.S. tariff rate is now an estimated 18.6%, the highest since the 1930s.
Consumers are about to bear a much bigger share of the cost, report projections show Americans absorbing roughly 67% of future tariff pain as businesses raise prices.
Starting August 29, even small packages from abroad will be taxed, and free rides will no longer be allowed under the $800 de minimis rule. Expect duties from 15% to 50%, or an $80 flat rate for undefined cases.
Latin American and Indian goods are also increasingly impacted. India now faces a 50% U.S. tariff, threatening exports in textiles, shrimp, chemicals, and more.
Critics warn these policies are fueling inflation and hitting families hard. U.S. households could lose an estimated $2,400 in 2025 alone.
Why This Matters for Your Expat Plans
High import costs slowly chip away at your lifestyle, from groceries and school supplies to healthcare access and global goods. If you’re building a life abroad, these rising costs are a key reason why flexibility and location choice aren’t just nice to have; they’re strategic.
In places like Portugal, Spain, Mexico, or across Asia, our community's families benefit from more value for money, stronger safety nets, and lower overhead costs. And right now, it’s not about avoiding tariffs—it’s about creating a lifestyle where these shifts don’t shape your life.
I’d love to hear from you:
How do rising prices or global policy shifts impact your hopes for living abroad? Comment below, I’m here to listen and help you think through what’s possible.
YOUR EXPAT LIFE READING LIST
When the World Feels Uncertain, Here’s How You Stay Focused on a Better Life for Your Family
Every time you turn on the news, it feels like the world is lurching into a new crisis—tariffs, inflation, layoffs, the quiet hum of a possible recession getting louder by the day. Families everywhere are feeling it not just in their wallets but in their bones.
Why This Economy Makes Now the Perfect Time to Build Your Expat Entrepreneur Life
As JPMorgan raises recession odds to 60%, I'm hearing from more Americans than ever who are asking: "Is now the time to finally make that move abroad?" My answer might surprise you – economically, there's never been a better moment to combine expatriation with entrepreneurship.
10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing Your Destination Country
You've made the exciting decision to move your family abroad. Now comes the crucial question: where?
Ready to Transform Your Expat Dreams into Reality?
Beyond Borders: Permission to Leave, Freedom to Live Abroad is a guided email journey that helps families move from secretly dreaming about living abroad to confidently planning their international future.
Through practical lessons, personal stories, and actionable worksheets, you'll:
Break through the mental barriers holding you back
Discover the surprising truth about raising global children
Navigate the financial realities (not myths) of living abroad
Create a clear path from dreaming to doing
Stop closing browser tabs and start opening doors to your family's global adventure. Join families who've already discovered that moving abroad isn't just possible—it's transformative.
Thank you for being here!