“A Matter of Survival”: Small Businesses Speak Out on Tariffs

Tariffs are having a serious impact on thousands of small businesses across the nation, and on Americans everywhere, as uncertainty, rising costs, and cancellations continue to take their toll.

Across the country, small business owners are voicing concerns about how ongoing trade tensions and shifting tariff policies are disrupting their operations. Many have spent months preparing for potential levies and countermeasures, only to face even greater uncertainty following the announcement of “reciprocal” tariffs on approximately $3 trillion of imports.

Now, amid a 90-day pause, business owners are left wondering what’s next, and how to plan for an unpredictable future.

Entrepreneurs describe this as the largest effective tax increase in half a century, sharing stories of canceled orders, higher expenses, and shrinking profit margins. Some are forced to pass rising costs onto consumers, while others fear losing competitiveness and growth potential entirely.