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Chart of the Week

Weekly chart using economic data to address timely market topics from the Wells Fargo Investment Institute Global Investment Strategy team.

October 21, 2025

Tariff revenue spikes — Will inflation follow?

This line chart compares monthly import duties collected by the U.S. Treasury Department to the 12-month change in the trade-sensitive core goods component of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from December 2008 to September 2025. CPI core goods data is as of August 2025. Monthly import duties have soared to nearly $32 billion in September 2025 from an average of just $7.9 billion per month between 2018 and 2024. Meanwhile, core goods price inflation has only recently accelerated on an annual basis (from deflation, or price declines, in 2024), signaling to us that the tariff passthrough to the consumer has just begun.Source: The Labor Department, U.S. Treasury Department, and Wells Fargo Investment Institute. Monthly data from December 1, 2008, to September 30, 2025. CPI (Consumer Price Index) core goods data is as of August 31, 2025. Core goods prices are commodities prices excluding food and energy. Excerpted from Market Charts (Q4 2025)

Trade-sensitive goods inflation is likely in the early stages as federal import revenue soars

This chart shows monthly federal tariff revenues (thick purple line) spiking from less than $10 billion at the end of 2024 to more than $30 billion after the first three quarters of 2025. Meanwhile, year-over-year core goods inflation — as measured by U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) core goods prices (thin orange line) — has risen more gradually in 2025.

We believe the passthrough of tariff increases by U.S. businesses to consumers remains in the early stages, delayed by stop-and-go announcements, pauses, and drawn-out implementation.

What it may mean for investors

We expect year-over-year U.S. CPI inflation to reach 3.0% by year-end 2025, dropping to 2.8% by year-end 2026. Our research shows that companies have been reluctant to impose price hikes all at once — this reflects sensitivity to a more cautious consumer and uncertainty about the ultimate size of tariffs to be offloaded. Legal challenges could further delay the tariff passthrough to consumers and bring risk of a more prolonged inflation impact through 2026.

Risk Considerations

Forecasts are not guaranteed and based on certain assumptions and on views of market and economic conditions which are subject to change.

Definitions

Consumer Price Index (CPI) produces monthly data on changes in the prices paid by urban consumers for a representative basket of goods and services.

An index is unmanaged and not available for direct investment.

General Disclosures

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