Trump tariffs: American businesses are ‘angry,’ worried about survival, and say keeping prices low will be ‘really hard’

 

Trump Tariffs: American Businesses Are ‘Angry,’ Worried About Survival, and Say Keeping Prices Low Will Be ‘Really Hard’

April 2025

As former President Donald Trump positions himself for another run at the White House, a centerpiece of his economic strategy—tariffs—has once again become a lightning rod for controversy. While Trump argues that tariffs are essential for protecting American jobs and punishing trade partners he believes have taken advantage of the U.S., American business owners are sounding the alarm. Across the country, many are angry, deeply worried about survival, and say keeping prices low in a new wave of tariffs will be “really hard.”

A Return to Trade Wars?

Trump has promised to revive and expand his tariff policies if reelected, including a proposed 10% universal tariff on all imports and even higher duties on goods from China. These tariffs, he argues, would bolster domestic manufacturing, reduce reliance on foreign goods, and increase leverage in trade negotiations.

But for businesses on the frontlines—especially small- and mid-sized manufacturers, retailers, and farmers—the proposed tariffs feel less like protection and more like punishment.

“We’re already fighting inflation and supply chain issues,” said Rebecca Lin, co-owner of a California-based electronics parts supplier. “Add another 10% tax on our imports, and we either pass that on to our customers or eat the cost—and neither of those options keeps us in business long-term.”

Higher Prices, Tighter Margins

The math is simple: tariffs raise the cost of imported goods. For companies that rely on global supply chains, especially for components not readily available in the U.S., this means higher costs of doing business.

“We import specialized parts from Asia that we simply can’t source domestically,” said James Whitaker, CEO of a mid-sized HVAC manufacturing firm in Ohio. “Our margins are already tight. With another round of tariffs, it’ll be really hard to keep prices down without cutting staff or halting expansion.”

Retailers are equally worried. Many have spent years building competitive pricing strategies in a post-COVID landscape where consumer budgets remain fragile. “If tariffs drive up our wholesale costs, we have no choice but to raise prices,” said one national retailer’s VP of procurement, who asked to remain anonymous. “That’s a lose-lose for us and our customers.”

Farming and Agriculture: A Familiar Burn

Farmers remember the first trade war all too well. The last time Trump imposed tariffs—particularly those targeting China—retaliatory tariffs devastated American agricultural exports. Soybean, corn, and pork producers lost billions, and some never recovered.

“We were told we’d be the winners in the long run, but what actually happened was bankruptcy and bailouts,” said Tim Sanchez, a soybean farmer in Iowa. “Now he’s talking about tariffs again, and we’re supposed to trust that this time will be different?”

Economists Are Skeptical

Many economists agree that tariffs amount to a tax on American consumers and businesses. While they can offer temporary protection to certain industries, the broader economic consequences—slower growth, higher prices, and global retaliation—can outweigh the benefits.

“There’s no such thing as a free tariff,” said Dr. Lila Morgan, a trade policy expert at Georgetown University. “The cost doesn’t disappear; it’s passed down the chain. Businesses absorb some, consumers pay more, and eventually, jobs can be lost in sectors that aren’t directly protected.”

Politics vs. Practicality

For Trump and his base, tariffs have political appeal. They symbolize strength and independence, a rejection of globalization in favor of “America First.” But for many business owners—especially those who supported Trump in 2016 and 2020—his economic nationalism feels increasingly disconnected from reality.

“I voted for Trump because I believed he would help American business,” said Carl Henderson, who runs a family-owned tool and die shop in Michigan. “But these tariffs? They’re killing us. It’s hard not to feel betrayed.”

The Bottom Line

As the debate over tariffs heats up, one thing is clear: American businesses are bracing for impact. From increased costs and shrinking margins to layoffs and lost competitiveness, the stakes are high. And if Trump’s tariff policies make a comeback, the anger and anxiety across America’s business community are unlikely to fade.

“We’re not anti-American,” said Lin, the electronics supplier. “We just want policies that help us grow—not ones that force us to choose between survival and patriotism.”