Consumers pay the tariffs.

The claim 'Consumers pay the tariffs' simplifies a more complex economic process. Tariffs are taxes imposed on imported goods, and legally, it is the importing companies that pay these taxes directly to the government.taxfoundation.orgtaxfoundation.orgWho Pays Tariffs? Americans Will Bear the Costs of the Next Trade Warhks.harvard.eduhks.harvard.eduExplainer: How do tariffs work and how will they impact the American and global...

However, economic theory and empirical evidence show that businesses usually pass these additional costs onto consumers by raising prices on goods affected by tariffs.hks.harvard.eduhks.harvard.eduExplainer: How do tariffs work and how will they impact the American and global...fortune.comfortune.comA $100 billion mystery is unfolding on tariffs and inflation and economists are... This phenomenon is known as 'price pass-through. ' The extent to which consumers bear the cost depends on market conditions, competition, and the ability of importers to absorb costs or negotiate with foreign exporters.pbs.orgpbs.org5 things to know about tariffs and how they work

Some exporters may reduce their prices to offset tariffs, but overall, consumers tend to face higher prices for tariffed goods.pbs.orgpbs.org5 things to know about tariffs and how they work Additionally, research and expert analyses indicate that tariffs increase costs for both consumers and domestic firms that rely on imported inputs.bankrate.combankrate.comTrump's Tariffs Are Here — Here's Who Pays

Therefore, while consumers do not pay tariffs directly to the government, they usually end up paying higher prices as a result of tariffs. This nuance means the claim is mostly true but omits the initial step where businesses pay the tariff tax.