John Gutierrez had been considering purchasing a new laptop for a while. He needed a computer with better performance and more storage for his photography work, and he had his eye on a laptop from a Taiwanese brand. However, when President Donald Trump announced new import tariffs, including a 32% tax on imports from Taiwan, Gutierrez decided to act quickly. He ordered the laptop, priced at $2,400, from a New York retailer specializing in photo and video gear to avoid potential price increases due to the tariffs.

Many U.S. consumers, like Gutierrez, rushed to buy high-value items before the tariffs went into effect to avoid higher prices. Economists predict that the tariffs could raise costs for everyday products, potentially impacting U.S. economic growth. The White House's aim with the tariffs is to encourage other countries to open up to American exports, leading to negotiations that could lower tariffs or prompt companies to increase production domestically to avoid import taxes.

Rob Blackwell and his wife needed a new car for long trips between Arlington, Virginia, and their son's college. They planned to replace their old electric vehicle, which has a limited range and would soon be used by their daughter when she gets her driver's license. After considering an electric vehicle, Blackwell opted to lease a new General Motors Optiq, an American car manufactured in Mexico, which might be affected by tariffs on supply chains.

Prior to the tariff announcement, Blackwell decided to lease the car over the weekend. The dealership honored the pre-tariff agreement, and although dealing with the salespeople was positive, he noted a change in their approach as the market dynamics shifted. Despite this, Blackwell felt satisfied with his decision and viewed it as a logical response to the government's actions.

Lee Wochner, CEO of Counterintuity marketing and strategy firm in Burbank, California, also needed a new car for business meetings. Due to his busy schedule, he had delayed the purchase, but eventually decided to take action.