Analysis by RILA GLOBAL CONSULTING | Social Listening Insights from April 7, 2025
Americans Are Talking About Tariffs More Than Ever — And They’re Worried
In the last 7 days alone, RILA GLOBAL CONSULTING analyzed 3.8 million social media posts from consumers in the United States discussing one topic: Tariffs.
Even more shocking? Over 1 million posts happened in just the past 24 hours.
Online conversations around tariffs have exploded by 900% since March — and show no signs of slowing down.
But this isn’t just about politics — this is about price hikes, empty shelves, and anxious families.
The Mood Online? Anger. Fear. Frustration.
Our analysis shows the conversation is overwhelmingly negative:
- 45% of consumers expressed negative sentiment
- Only 3% expressed optimism or support
- Negative sentiment surged 593% in just 7 days
The dominant emotions?
😡 Anger at rising costs
😨 Fear about future affordability
Tariffs are triggering a new economic anxiety cycle online — with Americans worrying about real, day-to-day consequences in their lives.
Toys: The First Casualty of Tariff Anxiety
+300,000 Social Media Posts About Toys in Just 7 Days
Consumers — especially parents — are sounding the alarm over toy prices.
What are parents and shoppers saying?
→ Toy prices are already going up
→ Many feel they’re paying more for lower quality
→ Fear of toy shortages is driving early Christmas shopping
→ Some parents are worried about how to “protect the holiday magic” for their kids
Small Retailers Are Feeling the Squeeze
Over 35,000 self-identified small business owners took to social media this past week to share their concerns about toys and tariffs.
Key challenges shared:
- Rising wholesale toy prices
- Difficulty competing with Amazon & big-box retailers
- Preparing for consumer hesitation
Some are already stockpiling toys before prices climb higher
Electronics: Consumers Expect Prices to Jump 40% to 50%
Mentions of electronics online reached 500,000 in just the past week.
From mobile devices to gaming consoles, American consumers are bracing for steep price hikes on electronics due to tariffs.
Top Insights from Consumers:
→ Phones, laptops, TVs & gaming systems are all expected to become more expensive
→ Speculation that electronics prices could rise 40%-50%
→ 5% of all posts specifically mentioned the iPhone — with many consumers rushing to upgrade before prices spike
→ Worries are extending beyond personal tech — to hospital medical devices, heavy machinery electronics, and even car technology
Tariffs Are Triggering an Economic Ripple Effect Online
This surge in consumer conversation isn’t just noise — it’s a reflection of very real economic anxiety spreading across America.
At RILA GLOBAL CONSULTING, we specialize in capturing these moments in real-time through advanced social listening and digital analytics.
We help brands, retailers, and organizations stay ahead of changing consumer behavior — before it hits their bottom line.
Why Social Listening Matters Now More Than Ever
→ Consumers are already telling the world how they feel
→ Tariffs are shaping purchasing decisions today — and for the months ahead
→ Small businesses need to prepare for shifting demand, pricing pressures, and customer hesitation
What’s next?
At RILA GLOBAL CONSULTING, we’ll be tracking the evolution of this conversation daily — from toys to tech to everyday essentials — helping brands and businesses turn insights into action.
Follow us for more insights.
Interested to find out what social listening can do for your business or organization?
Reach out to RILA today!
