Trump’s tariffs: Small business owners speak out on the impact - “we’re getting screwed”
President Trump’s trade war, marked by new tariffs, is causing significant turmoil for U.S. businesses - big and small businesses.
The steep tariffs being introduced by President Donald Trump are causing problems for businesses across the United States. The tariffs are set to affect nearly all imports into the country, and have caused a huge drop in stock markets, with the Dow falling 1,000 points.
How Trump’s tariffs are negatively affecting U.S. businesses
Larger businesses are risking losing market share, while smaller businesses are facing significant tariff increases, which would likely lead to raising prices for the consumer, and eventually potential closure of the shop. Many businesses are responding to the tariff increases by reducing operations or raising prices, which could hurt sales.
🇨🇳 JUST IN: China stated it will "fight to the end" if the US imposes new tariffs, following President Trump's threat of a 50% additional tariff. pic.twitter.com/BLIZ8eZAuS
— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) April 8, 2025
“I don’t know if I agree with it, but I understand it,” said Matthew Schodorf, owner of Café de Leche in Los Angeles. “We’re going to raise prices on imports so that we try to guide people towards buying domestic, right? You can’t do that with coffee.”
“I don’t know how to say it politely,” Schodorf continued. “We’re just getting screwed.”
Coffee in particular is a business that will be hit hard, as the majority of coffee beans are not from the U.S., but rather Brazil, Indonesia, Colombia, Nicaragua - all countries which will feel the impact of the tariffs. Finding a domestic supplier is nearly impossible, and this coffee shop is just one example of many businesses that will have the same issue.
Although the tariffs are meant to generate revenue and bring manufacturing back to the United States, they could end up just leading to higher prices for the consumer and slowing down economic growth. They also prompt retaliation from countries like China, which could harm U.S. farmers and factories. Overall, the economic impact remains uncertain in the long run.
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