Tariff worries Import taxes are promising as they are approaching for small business owners across the US Prices will riseshortages and supply chains for business owners relying on world trade for equipment, inventory and restaurant materials.
President Donald Trump announced a number of tariffs in early April, with a 10% tax tax on all imports, another 20% in the European Union, 34% in China, 46% to Taiwan, and 44% in Sri Lanka.
Despite concerns from economists, investors and entrepreneurs, some business owners weren’t too worried. If tariffs block international trade and imports, they see opportunities to boost local industries, global negotiations and employment in the United States.
This is what I have to say about some of them.
For flower growers, tariffs may return industry
If you’re buying a bouquet of roses from a grocery store or from a local florist, you could be from Colombia, Ecuador, Canada or Mexico. With around 80% of American cut flowers imported, Trump’s tariffs are increasing prices at florists nationwide and supply is declining.
While some florists are rushing to adjust prices and flower for their clients’ weddings, funerals and anniversary, Blessing, the company of Robin Aspinwall, is growing pastures in Metter, Georgia.
“We built our business with the goal of having more local resources,” Aspinwall said.
As tariffs threaten flower supply, many in the industry are rushing to manage rising costs as normal supply routes currently apply import taxes to flowers.
“Many of the florists I’ve spoken to are not used to sourcing locally,” Aspinwall said. “They had a successful way of getting flowers to be sourced overseas, so they haven’t really considered having locally-grown flowers, especially in areas where there are no more flower farmers.”
Imports have not always been the standard for American flowers. State such as Colorado, California and Florida once provided the majority of their flower needs to the United States. However, after the Andean Trade Preference Act of 1991, taxes on imports encouraged flowers from other countries.
“In the ’90s, all these imports were flooded with the market, so hundreds of flower farmers were closing their doors,” Aspinwall said.
Aspinwall is looking at flower sourcing that is refocused due to multiple positive effects. Not only will it grow more flowers in the US, it will generate more jobs and income for flower growers, but it will also make the industry more sustainable.
It is necessary to refrigerate the flowers to transport them. This requires an exponential increase in the carbon footprint for each mile the flower order is shipped. According to the International Council on Clean Transport, 360,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide are produced by transporting roses from Colombia to the US on Valentine’s Day alone. Locally sourced flowers last longer as they shorten the distance, reduce the need for refrigeration, and reduce the time it takes for the flowers to reach the consumer.
Growing flowers in the United States also ensures workers are paid a fair price and have good working conditions, Aspinwall said. “There are more laws and regulations on how many hours they are treated, what their wages are allowed to work, and what their wages are and what their nature is,” Aspinwall said.
With tariffs currently impose import taxes of 25% or more, Aspinwall is urging small businesses to consider local sourcing to help grow local industries and communities to avoid increased tariffs.
“I think we need to remain positive and try to see the benefits it can bring to our community,” Aspinwall said. “When you’re buying from somewhere overseas, none of that money has returned to your community. But when you’re buying from a local flower farmer, you’re supporting local businesses and nonprofits.”
Tariffs as a negotiation tool
Anthony Constantino, CEO of custom sticker printing company Sticker Mule, said that most of his manufacturing is carried out within the US, so he doesn’t see any tariffs that will have a major impact on New York-based businesses.
He is a supporter of returning manufacturing to the US, but Constantino doesn’t see it as the main purpose of Trump’s tariffs.
“I think he’s mostly watching him secure borders, stop drugs, stop the flow of things that come to a country he doesn’t want to come to,” Constantino says. “I’m going to leave it to him and decide how things will unfold, but I hope he gets a positive outcome.”
Trump has previously used tariffs as a negotiation tactic, especially in countries that rely heavily on the US and rely on it as a customer base. Earlier this year, Trump threatened Colombian tariffs after refusing to accept national dispatchers. Shortly afterwards, the President of Columbia approved Trump’s demands and tariffs were withdrawn.
It remains to be seen how much broader tariffs are seen on other countries and countries, such as China, Canada, Mexico and the European Union, especially as several governments are beginning to enact retaliatory tariffs in the United States.
However, Constantino remains optimistic about the use of Trump in tariffs as a negotiation tactic.
“Let’s relax and see what happens. We believe the president will pursue meaningful outcomes for the country,” Constantino said.
Take the industry back to the country
Harry Moser, founder and president of the Reshoring Initiative, says tariffs provide a unique opportunity for manufacturing to return to the US and regain work and the economy.
“Why the US lost so many jobs — the loss of 6 million jobs in manufacturing is almost entirely due to price,” Moser says. “You can buy things in China at 60 or 70% of the price. Companies are using it. To get back production, you need to deal with price differences. Tariffs are one way to do that.”
The rise in steel and aluminum imports, along with Charlotte-based steel maker Nucor Corp., has raised hopes with several manufacturers that have reduced global competition. support Trump’s tariff decision in February 2025.
Do customs duties work?
Some business owners hope that tariffs will bring more jobs to the United States, but doing so will require time and deliberate investment in the affected industries.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the company’s efforts to create a new and exciting new economic analyst at Bankrate,” said Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst at Bankrate. “You can’t pop up a car manufacturing facility with cheap labor in a year or two, especially if parts are sourced from many other locations.”
In the meantime, employers will need to restructure their supply chains and increase more shortages and price increases. Can withstand inflation Customer base.
Enhancing the workforce is another challenge, Moser added.
“There’s a shortage of tool makers, precision makers, mechanics. Many kids go to college and don’t trade schools,” Moser said. “We should balance the trade deficit, and to do so, US manufacturing needs to increase by 40%. To do so, we need the workforce to increase by 20-30%.”
However, it is worth the wait as the country and economy adapts for business owners who see the benefits of tariffs, the benefits of increased domestic production, and the benefits of smaller, more sustainable supply chains and investments to local communities and businesses.
“It’s going to be a bit uncomfortable, but it’s just hanging out there,” Aspinwall says. “It’s okay.”
How employers manage rising tariff prices
As a company, it can be difficult to raise tariff prices. Below are some ways you can manage your impact:
Diversify your supply chain
Relying solely on one or two sources of stock is not a great idea, especially when the supplier is affected by tariffs or shortages. When prices and shortages come into effect, we have a ready alternative supplier and are ready to shop at the best prices.
You can also ask other small businesses for supplier recommendations, partner with others to order items, and receive bulk order discounts.
Think of it as local
Buying local products will help you avoid rising prices due to customs duties and save on transportation costs. Buying locally also helps to strengthen relationships with other businesses and support your community and state.
Supplying locally may reduce your product, but promoting the fact that you offer local products will help you attract more customers and help you connect with and promote other small businesses.
Strategically reduce costs
As inflation blood-sucking consumers are tired of rising prices, consider cutting costs in other areas, such as operations, staffing, and real estate costs.
This includes reducing opening hours, removing some low-selling products and services, moving to locations with cheaper leases or cutting back on staff.
Increase the price as slowly as possible
If you have to raise prices, try to do so in a progressive way, such as 1% per month for a few months. This allows customers to adapt to price increases without suddenly spying on the amount they pay from one purchase to the next.
Offer discounts, trades and rewards
Take your customers back to your customers and make promotional discounts and deals that offset some of the increased costs from customs duties. This includes weekly trades, coupons, or bundle discounts that combine low-cost items from loss leaders with higher-priced items that balance costs. Customer loyalty programs that offer discounts to customers returning customers can also promote sales to your business repeatedly.
