Who actually pays the tariff?

Tariffs are import taxes paid by companies that bring goods into the country—not by foreign governments or foreign companies. When the U.S. imposes a tariff, the importing company (often an American retailer or manufacturer) pays the tax at the border. Economists widely warn that 90–100% of these costs are passed down to American consumers in the form of higher prices. So when you see a "tariff on China," the cost is typically borne by you at the checkout.