News

U.S. Chamber - Small Businesses Feel the Pain from Tariffs

4/21/2025

By: US Chamber of Commerce, April 18, 2025

They face higher costs and lost customers.
Small businesses are struggling from higher tariffs—the biggest tax increase in America in 50 years. They tell the U.S. Chamber about rising costs, while inflation remains a top worry , losing customers, and struggling to stay competitive and expand.

Why it matters: We all want a strong economy to improve the lives of Americans and their communities. A pro-growth agenda, instead of imposing tariffs, can raise workers' wages and support families.

What they’re saying:

"Due to the tariffs and hostile attitude towards Canada, our Canadian customers are no longer interested in working with us,” said Chris Pence, president of porcelainware maker Haand in Burlington, North Carolina. “We have lost all of our market share in Canada and had to downsize our business as a result."

“We have put a halt on our facility upgrade plans and have also stopped the imports. We will not be able to meet our customer demand without an outside supply source, but we had to put a stop to our normal business plan due to the trade war,” said Michele Derrigo-Barnes, president and CEO of Plattco Corporation in Plattsburgh, New York.

“We have just shipped a container of Sonic Alert products that we paid around $250,000 that will arrive in the U.S. in the next week or so. We have no idea how much tariffs we will have to pay. The current rate of 100% is more than the profit we will make from selling the product,” Adam Kollin, owner of Sonic Alert in Troy, Michigan, told the U.S. Chamber.

‌
Bottom line: Rather than imposing tariffs, Washington policymakers should focus on economic growth, including: