Tariff wars: what’s the impact?

Who really wins when taxes on imports change?

Collage of pages from the “Tariff wars: what’s the impact?” teaching resource showing the cover and lesson plan

Published 02 May 2025

About this lesson

On February 1st 2025, President Trump began a global "tariff war" by imposing widespread tariffs on imports into the US.

Are tariffs a good way for countries to help their own businesses? Or do they mostly make things cost more?

Use this lesson to help students:

  • Learn what tariffs are
  • Discuss the effects of different tariffs on countries that import goods
  • Debate whether President Trump's tariff changes will be good or bad for America

Skills and knowledge

  • Listening

    Step 0: I listen to others without interrupting
    Did you listen to your partner's ideas without interrupting in the game?

    Step 6: I show I am listening by how I use eye contact and body language
    Did you look at the person opposite and make eye contact whilst listening
    to them?

    Step 8: I show I am listening by summarising or rephrasing what I have heard
    Did you summarise the news story about the US?

  • Knowledge

    I know what a tariff is and about how President Trump is changing
    tariffs in the US
    What is a tariff? What is President Trump doing?

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