Much focus has been placed on how Trump’s tariffs may impact major companies and the car market, but it’s crucial to consider how these tariffs will affect individual consumers. This is particularly important for states that heavily depend on imported goods; residents there might experience more significant price hikes due to tariffs compared to others. When evaluating states with substantial imports, one might think that populous states would be most affected. However, examining how much states import and what they import reveals a different picture. States lacking local production in certain areas could face more severe financial challenges than those with robust in-state manufacturing. Wyoming, for example, plays a major role in agriculture through cattle and meat processing but has limited processed food and beverage production. According to foreign trade data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Wyoming imported $213 million worth of processed foods and beverages in 2024, suggesting that tariffs could heavily impact grocery prices for Wyoming residents.
Understanding Wyoming’s Imports
Only Wyoming and Vermont have processed food and beverages as their top import category in the U.S. Interestingly, Vermont’s import total in this category for 2024 reached $686 million, even though it has a similar population size to Wyoming. These two states rank as the least and second-least populous in the country. Vermont’s 2024 population was 648,493, per the U.S. Census Bureau, while Wyoming had 587,618 residents, making it the least populous state, despite being the 10th largest by land area.
Tariff-induced price hikes are expected to impact various categories in other states. For instance, cars and auto equipment were the top import category for 14 states in 2024, whereas computers and electronics topped the list for nine states. Although rising car prices are a concern, they don’t match the necessity of affordable groceries. Trump’s tariffs, while not specifically targeting food, have implications for packaged food and beverages due to tariffs on packaging materials. For example, a 25% tariff on aluminum could increase the cost of canned beverages and tinned foods, so stocking up on items like tuna might be wise before prices rise.
Wyoming’s Relationship with Canada
General tariffs on imports affect various elements from shipping materials to packaging, but Wyoming faces additional challenges due to its trading relationship with Canada. Wyoming’s largest trading partner is Canada, and according to Cowboy State Daily, it imports around $568 million in goods annually from there. As of March 4, 2025, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods, affecting imports like oil, natural gas, and pharmaceuticals, many of which are shipped to Wyoming.
Focusing on food, the Government of Canada reports that Wyoming imported $41.4 million in agricultural goods from Canada in 2023, including canola oil, baked goods, and potatoes. It’s also crucial to consider the impact of retaliatory tariffs on Wyoming’s exports, affecting farmers and agricultural workers with increased export costs. A report from the Canadian Consulate General in Denver highlights that Wyoming exports $401 million worth of goods to Canada yearly, more than to Chile and Brazil combined — the state’s next largest foreign markets. Significant export categories like salt, sulfur, fuel oil, and chemicals now face 25% tariffs when entering Canada.
