President Trump's sweeping tariffs are set to increase prices for consumers on a wide range of gadgets, including smartphones, laptops, and smartwatches. According to experts, the tariffs will lead to a significant hike in prices, with some devices potentially seeing a 20-50% increase in cost.

The tariffs, which have been imposed on goods from every single country, will affect the cost of components and assembly, leading to higher prices for consumers. "The biggest thing right now is going to be the inflationary impact," says Jason Miller, professor of supply chain management at Michigan State University. "If they stay in place for several months, we'll start to see those effects by mid-summer and certainly back-to-school season."

Devices will be impacted differently, with smartphones expected to see a roughly 20% price increase, while other devices like over-the-counter hearing aids may see a 25-50% hike. The impact will be felt across the board, with every single device category expected to be negatively affected.

Despite the expected price increases, consumers may not see immediate effects, as some device makers have increased inventory in anticipation of the tariffs. However, experts warn that this is not a guarantee, and price increases could hit the market as early as fall. "If you're looking at a laptop that's assembled in China, and you're wondering whether to buy now or wait until the fall, I would buy now," advises Miller.

The tariffs have also raised questions about whether they could encourage Big Tech to restart domestic manufacturing. However, experts say it's highly unlikely, as it's still cheaper for companies to manufacture devices overseas. "These tariffs in no way would encourage domestic production of the types of devices that we're talking about," says Miller.

The U.S. has lost a significant amount of its manufacturing capacity, particularly for consumer electronics, in the last few decades, making it difficult for companies to shift production back to the country. Even if companies wanted to move some industry back home, it wouldn't be possible overnight, according to Simon Ellis, group vice president at IDC.

The impact of the tariffs will be felt beyond just gadget prices, with potential consequences for the economy and consumer behavior. As prices rise, consumers may be forced to make difficult choices about which devices to prioritize, and companies may need to reassess their supply chains and pricing strategies.

As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: consumers will be paying the price for President Trump's tariffs. Whether or not the tariffs will achieve their intended goal of boosting US manufacturing remains to be seen, but for now, it's clear that the impact will be felt in the wallets of consumers.