Famous billionaire and businessman Mark Cuban, who was part of the hit show Shark Tank for over 15 seasons, has given a serious warning just as he exited the show. He’s concerned that many everyday items could soon become more expensive—and even harder to find—because of the new global tariff policies introduced by former President Donald Trump.
On May 16, Cuban made his final appearance on the Season 16 finale of Shark Tank. But just days before, he took to social media to alert Americans about rising prices and possible product shortages.
Cuban’s Advice: Stock Up on Essentials Now
Mark Cuban urged people to visit stores like Walmart and stock up on household items—things like toothpaste, soap, and other products we use every day. His reason? Prices might go up soon, and shelves could even start looking empty.
“Even if the product is made in the USA, prices will still rise, and companies will blame it on tariffs,” Cuban warned on Bluesky, a social media platform.
According to Cuban, many importers are holding goods at ports in China, waiting to see what happens next. If all those goods get shipped at the same time, shipping costs will rise too—leading to more inflation.
What Are Reciprocal Tariffs?
In April, Donald Trump introduced something called “reciprocal tariffs,” meaning the US would charge other countries the same high taxes they charge the US for imported goods. For example, if a country like Vietnam charges the US 90% to export goods, the US will now charge them back with 46%.
Countries such as China, India, and Indonesia are now facing higher reciprocal tariffs from the US. The idea is to level the playing field, but critics like Cuban believe this will mostly hurt American consumers by making goods more expensive.
Coffee Prices Likely to Shoot Up
Among all the items expected to become more expensive, one stands out—coffee. The United States imports almost all of its coffee from countries like Ecuador and the Ivory Coast. Since the US barely grows any coffee itself (only about 0.2% of what it needs), higher tariffs will directly impact prices.
Experts from Fitch Solutions and ED&F Man say the new tariffs won’t boost local coffee production. Instead, they will just increase what we pay at the counter. That means higher coffee prices in cafes and supermarkets across the country.
Not Everyone Agrees
While Cuban and several economists are sounding the alarm, some business leaders think people are overreacting. Former Home Depot CEO Bob Nardelli believes that the public is panicking too soon. However, fast fashion companies like Shein and Temu have already told their customers that their prices will go up soon due to these tariffs.
Mark Cuban’s warning comes at a time when the global trade system is shifting fast. With the US putting tariffs on goods from dozens of countries, everything from soap to coffee could cost more. Cuban’s advice? Stock up now if you can and prepare for rising prices. Even though some experts think the fears are overblown, companies are already adjusting prices, and that could affect our daily lives sooner than expected.
