What tariffs are costing

Kentucky

#17 of 52 nationwide by executive tariff cost →

Executive tariffs have cost Kentucky an estimated $6.5 billion since January 2025 — the 17th-highest total in the country. About 80% of that fell on raw materials, parts, and equipment that Kentucky manufacturers buy, and the hardest-hit category is steel, aluminum & other metals at $769 million. Estimates prepared by Trade Partnership Worldwide for the National Taxpayers Union Foundation.

Last updated · Data through Q2 2026

Estimated Tariffs on Imports into Kentucky

$0M$200M$400M$600M$800M$1BDec-23Mar-24Jun-24Sep-24Dec-24Mar-25Jun-25Sep-25Dec-25Mar-26Jun-26
Statutory tariffs Executive tariffs
$6.5B

in executive tariffs imposed by the president since January 2025.

80%

of executive tariffs were on raw materials, parts, and equipment that help manufacturers in Kentucky remain competitive.

Key Kentucky Imports Facing Executive Tariffs

Steel, aluminum & other metals
$769M
extra tariffs paid
since Jan. 2025
29.8%
Avg. tariff,
July 2025–June 2026
20× the 2024 rate of 1.5%
Auto parts
$696M
extra tariffs paid
since Jan. 2025
9.5%
Avg. tariff,
July 2025–June 2026
5.1× the 2024 rate of 1.9%
Electrical equipment
$495M
extra tariffs paid
since Jan. 2025
15.2%
Avg. tariff,
July 2025–June 2026
6.5× the 2024 rate of 2.3%
Engines & parts
$388M
extra tariffs paid
since Jan. 2025
12.5%
Avg. tariff,
July 2025–June 2026
6× the 2024 rate of 2.1%

How does Kentucky compare?

Kentucky tariff costs — quick answers

How much have tariffs cost Kentucky?

Executive tariffs have cost Kentucky an estimated $6.5 billion since January 2025, according to the National Taxpayers Union Foundation's State Tariffs Tracker (data through Q2 2026).

What share of Kentucky's tariff costs falls on manufacturers?

An estimated 80% of executive tariffs on imports into Kentucky applied to raw materials, parts, and equipment — the inputs Kentucky manufacturers rely on to produce goods and compete.

Which Kentucky imports face the highest tariff costs?

The hardest-hit import category in Kentucky is steel, aluminum & other metals, with an estimated $769 million in additional tariffs paid since January 2025 at an average tariff rate of 29.8%.

How often are these numbers updated?

Figures are updated quarterly, the same day new data is released, using estimates prepared by Trade Partnership Worldwide for the National Taxpayers Union Foundation.

Data through Q2 2026 · Estimates prepared by Trade Partnership Worldwide · Methodology

About National Taxpayers Union Foundation

NTUF is the research and educational affiliate of the National Taxpayers Union, showing Americans how taxes, government spending, and regulations affect them. The State Tariffs Tracker is part of NTUF’s Free Trade Initiative.