Tariffs Are Back in the Headlines — But What About the Working Class?

Tariffs often dominate political and economic conversations, framed as tools to protect jobs. But here’s the reality: many of these measures are unlikely to significantly impact working-class jobs. The industries most affected are often capital-intensive and less dependent on the kind of labor that supports the economic stability of everyday families.

For millions of people, the real determinants of health—stable housing, living wages, access to affordable food, education, and healthcare—are shaped far more by wage growth, job security, and social safety nets than by changes in trade policy.

When we talk about tariffs, we also need to ask:

• Will they improve wages for workers on the margins?

• Will they lower the cost of essentials for families?

• Will they reduce the health disparities linked to poverty?

If the answer is no, then tariffs are more of a political talking point than a meaningful lever for improving the social determinants of health.

Economic policy is health policy. And if we want healthier communities, our focus needs to be on the policies that truly reach the people who keep our cities, towns, and neighborhoods running every day.