Small Business Owners Are Sharing How Tariffs Are Affecting Them, And It’s A Serious Crisis

6.

“The previous steel and aluminum tariffs from the pandemic were rough. This is on another level. I don’t think most people understand how screwed we are. Currently, my suppliers are trying to raise prices slowly. They’re playing chicken with each other. They know they can’t raise everything overnight, as they’re also competing with other suppliers, and they still need to move product in order to maintain cash flow. I’ve been hoarding lots of inventory in preparation, but how long will it take to move that product if the economy is slow due to overall inflation? Our costs are just one aspect of being in business. If our customers are squeezed from every direction by tariffs on everything, then they don’t have cash to purchase things from us. Then toss in some idiotic DOGE nonsense, where you eliminate millions of people from viable employment.”

“Currently, there is a delay, as the effects of the tariffs haven’t yet manifested. But it’s coming — it’s going to be wave after wave of increases everywhere. A literal tsunami. And the ones who understand this feel like people jumping up and down, saying there’s a big wave coming. And everyone is just walking around blithely.” 

—u/Mushu_Pork