So far indications are many companies are eating the tariffs, for now.

Even making them visible has drawn the ire of Trump a few times already.

But I generally agree that it can't go on forever / not how it works historically.

Eating the tariffs by firing workers means more out of work with less purchasing power and prices are going up too. It's fail all the way down.

A lot of them are "eating" them in the margins of the unreasonable "inflation" increases they used to see how much the public was willing to pay for their products. (Normally, this would be okay in a functioning capitalist market except we've let way to many companies gain a monopolistic position with no real market competition to force a reasonable middle ground between profit and elastic demand.)

I'm actually surprised that some prices are even lower now than they've previously been.

I don't think most people actually have a solid understanding of what is and is not affected by which tariffs.

If I understand correctly, most of the tech stuff is effectively exempt; and Canada/Mexico tariffs don't apply to most items that are covered under "the rules of origin" certifications under USMCA (the successor to NAFTA).

I think the biggest hit has been the elimination of the de minimis rule, which now makes it difficult and/or impossible to get anything directly from China by USPS, be that cheap clothing or small electronics.

I don't think companies know what is affected and when... except when the invoice comes. The tariffs have been a moving target, some announced and never occurred.

Most kicked in on Aug 1st. It takes a few weeks for the international supply chain to turn over.

Eating the tariffs to avoid punishment from the government is just price controls with the dash of lawlessness. Something will give and it will be either profits or prices.

Well, MAGA supporters have never heard of consumers paying tariffs:

https://x.com/dieworkwear/status/1951851958559703117