Americans know we are in the middle of a global trade emergency. They know President Trump is fighting to course correct decades of unfair trade deals on behalf of the American worker. He’s already made deals with Japan, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and China.
What they don’t know is that Big Retail is making them pay for it. Literally.
All across the country, despite the fact that tariffs have not raised prices and even former corporate executives admit they can “withstand tariff headwinds,” rogue retailers are adding hidden tariff fees to their prices, blaming President Trump.
Big corporations, most of which are global entities growing increasingly reliant on China, are raising prices on American consumers with no transparency and no accountability, while quietly increasing their profit margins.
This is illegal in Virginia, thanks to Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Americans know we are in the middle of a global trade emergency.
In May 2025, Youngkin signed a law banning hidden fees on consumer transactions.
Now, retailers trying to charge higher prices (and blaming President Trump for it) could face penalties under Virginia law.
As a Virginian, I am proud of Youngkin for being a leader and taking action to support President Trump’s America First agenda. Other states should take note.
Plenty of Republican officials in the states claim they support President Trump and his America First mission, but posting on X doesn’t pack quite the same punch as taking action that actually helps the president.
And states now have the ability to do so. President Trump’s executive order declaring a national emergency for foreign trade and economic practices allows states to take action, as Youngkin did in Virginia. But that’s just one way.
Thirty-nine states have statutes or regulations that define price gouging during a time of emergency. And in most states, price gouging constitutes a violation of unfair or deceptive trade practices law, giving the state attorney general the power to enforce both criminal and civil penalties for any violations.
That means states can enforce price gouging laws against national retailers engaging in deceptive pricing tactics, such as adding hidden tariff fees.
American companies should not use the Trump administration’s America First strategy, meant to level the playing field for our manufacturing sector at home, as a scapegoat to make a quick buck.
It’s dishonest, un-American, and should be illegal in all 50 states, not just Virginia.
Negotiating with the entire world to reverse years of highway robbery in the form of bad trade deals takes a whole-of-government approach.
President Trump is doing the lion’s share from the White House.
If the states truly wanted to support his efforts, follow Youngkin’s lead and stand up to big retail. Investigate. Pass laws to hold any opportunist responsible.
As the saying goes: Actions speak louder than words.
Carly Atchison Bird is the Founder and President of Bird’s Eye Consulting. She previously served as National Spokeswoman for Ron DeSantis for President.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
(Featured Image Media Credit: Screenshot/YouTube/Glenn Youngkin)
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