Brides beware: The surprising way Trump’s tariffs are making weddings more expensive
Donald Trump’s tariffs are hitting the flower market hard, causing chaos for wedding plans across the nation.
First he took Mother’s Day from us, now he’s doing the same with weddings.
Yes, Trump’s tariffs continue to cause chaos the world over, with his rash political decision to slap crazy levels of import fees on anything that doesn’t have ‘Made in America’ on the label sending businesses into spiral and US worker’s into despair as their relationship with the rest of humankind cries up like a dead petal.
He won’t tell you, but the flower market has been hit hard thanks to his tariffs, and the price hike has made life extremely difficult when it comes to running the businesses, usually small, independent ones, that provide us with flowers for our homes and various occasions.
U.S. Census Bureau data shows how much the people love their flowers: the country imported a total of $2.2 billion worth of cut flowers and greenery last year, with the majority coming from Colombia and Ecuador, two countries suffering due to Trump.
The U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA) signed back in 2012 saw what was 60% of fresh-cut flowers imported into the U.S. annually come in for free. It was a perfect arrangement that saw the wedding industry boom in the States. Not anymore.
For their part, Ecuador had a 6.8% Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) tariff that has now jumped up to 16.8%.
Further afield, Italy and The Netherlands are also struggling to get deals over the line in the US, as stateside consumers opt away from the now heavily inflated prices of external bouquets. However, given their specific climates that allow for the growth of certain species, the decision can sometimes be impossible to make.
“We’re going to do the best we can to sort of keep those prices where they need to be,” Jody Costello, a florist in Royal Oak, Michigan, told CBS, “people can definitely expect to be paying a little bit more."
Related stories
“The fact that [other countries] can grow year-round gave them a natural advantage,” Kate Penn, CEO of the Society of American Florists, told CBS.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.