Learn key words and phrases all about tariffs in this English lesson. Practice your listening and improve your English.

Useful Vocabulary and Phrases


Tariffs are added to imported goods. 👉 Passive voice for focus. Example: Taxes are collected by the government.


Tariffs can protect local jobs. 👉 Use modal verbs (can/might/could) for possibility. Example: Tariffs might protect local industries.


Consumers will end up paying more. 👉 “End up” = final result of a situation. Example: If prices rise, shoppers end up spending less overall.


Supply chain 👉 Where parts of a product are made and assembled. Example: The global supply chain was disrupted last year.


Free trade 👉 Trade with no tariffs or restrictions. Example: The EU is an example of a free trade area.


Retaliate 👉 Respond with an action. Example: One country raised tariffs, the other retaliated.


Trade deficit 👉 When imports are greater than exports. Example: The US has a trade deficit with
China.

Conditional Sentences with Tariffs


If tariffs go up, prices will go up. 👉 First conditional (real future).


If countries keep raising tariffs, it might start a trade war. 👉 First conditional with might (possibility).


If tariffs were lower, consumers would save money. 👉 Second conditional (hypothetical). 💬

Idioms About Money and Tariffs


Pick up the tab – to pay for something, often expensive. Example: Shoppers pick up the tab when tariffs rise.


Hit the wallet – to negatively affect finances. Example: Tariffs have hit consumers’ wallets hard this year.

 
Jack up the prices – to raise prices suddenly and sharply. Example: Companies had to jack up prices after tariffs were introduced.


Tighten your belt – to spend less money. Example: Families are tightening their belts due to higher grocery costs.