Clark Howard: How the President’s trade dispute with China could impact your holiday shopping

Jacksonville, FL. — This holiday shopping season is taking place while the Trump Administration and Chinese governments are both imposing tariffs on each other.

President Trump’s latest round of tariffs on $200-billion will go into effect on Monday at 10% and they are expected to jump to 25% at the start of 2019. China has already vowed to retaliate.

Consumer Warrior Clark Howard says while you’re seeing various headlines about the ongoing trade dispute, there is nothing to worry when it comes to your holiday shopping this year.

"Regardless of how things play out with us and the Chinese, this Christmas for you and me is fine."

Clark says he doesn’t expect any dramatic increases in prices as shoppers start to flock to the stores for the holidays or the immediate aftermath. He did say afterward your wallet could start to feel the impact if the United States and China are still battling it out over trade.

"You will start to see meaningfully higher prices on any of a number of items you buy: items, all forms of electronics, and the components that go into other things potentially like automobiles."

However, Clark says that is and if/when kind of situation and it's too early to connect the dots just yet with how the tariffs will impact consumers in the New Year.