Businesses Nationwide Struggle Amid Trump Tariffs on Imports

Small business owners across the U.S. are reporting significant challenges due to President Trump's tariffs on steel, aluminum, and Chinese imports, with many describing sharp cost increases and operational uncertainty. In Minnesota, craft breweries and product manufacturers face rising material and canning costs, prompting calls from Representative Kelly Morrison for immediate tariff relief to protect small businesses and consumers alike. Similarly, Tennessee's Asian restaurants are struggling to source key ingredients, driving up prices and forcing menu changes, while some local experts argue the trade war may eventually yield benefits if global tariffs are equalized. In Michigan, specialty retailers such as tea shops and toy stores are grappling with steep price hikes on imported goods, often having no choice but to pass costs onto customers or contemplate raising prices to stay afloat. Business owners and advocates emphasize the disproportionate impact on small enterprises, many of which lack the resources to absorb or lobby against these rapid changes. Overall, the uncertainty and unpredictability generated by the tariffs are making it difficult for small businesses to plan ahead and threatening their long-term viability.