ICYMI: Small Business Owner Michael Howard III Warns About Rising Costs Brought About By Trump Tariffs
Since the beginning of the month, President Trump has held true to his promise of signing executive orders on imported goods from Canada, Mexico, and China. Though tariffs have been paused for Mexico and Canada for 30 days, as of now, there are newly enforced 10% tariffs on China, and 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum.
Michiganders are first on the front lines of Trump’s new trade war since the tariff order targets the neighboring country of Canada, which has already made clear that it will retaliate, which could mean much higher costs for consumers. Congressional Republicans, like Rep. John James, have yet to talk to constituents about their plans to rubber stamp Trump’s trillion-dollar tax cut for billionaires and make Michiganders foot the bill.
Macomb County Commissioner Michael Howard III sat down with The Michigan Independent, The New York Times, and Good Morning America to talk about one of the most important issues facing Michiganders: the rising costs brought about by the Trump Administration’s tariffs. As a small business owner, Howard shares an insightful warning for consumers: businesses cannot afford these tariffs.
Macomb County Commissioner Michael Howard III
“ My story is one I know many in Michigan, and in states across the country, share. Small business owners are concerned about the consequences this trade war will have on their consumers and the impact it will have on the ability to provide for our families. This administration, and our elected officials in Congress, cannot get away with inflicting this much uncertainty and anxiety into the working class.”
These interviews underscore the impact of Trump’s trade wars on Michigan small businesses, as Republicans continue to find ways to justify their plans for more tax cuts for the wealthy.
Check out some excerpts here:
GOOD MORNING AMERICA: “What do we do? I can’t swallow a 25% increase in costs of goods so that then gets passed on to my customers.”
NEW YORK TIMES: Small-Business Owners Say Tariffs Will Squeeze Them, and Their Customers
“For small businesses across the United States, President Trump’s broad tariffs on Chinese-made goods could squeeze their already tight margins, and cause sticker shock for customers.”
“In a survey of more than 600 members by the National Small Business Association, set to be released next week, more than half the owners said they were concerned about tariffs under the Trump administration, and nearly a third were ‘very concerned,’”
“The lingering threat of tariffs on Canada is a dilemma that Michael Howard, who owns Howard Family Designs, a furniture business in Warren, Mich., is confronting, too.”
“That jump in cost is forcing Mr. Howard to raise estimates for his work. He now plans to quote one client $2,000 for a custom-made bookshelf, $300 more than he would have otherwise charged. ‘I can’t absorb the increased cost of a product,’ Mr. Howard said.”
“I can’t absorb the increased cost of a product,” Mr. Howard said.
MICHIGAN INDEPENDENT: Trump’s Tariffs Could Mean Higher Prices For Michigan Businesses And Consumers
“Michael Howard prides himself on the custom-made tables, bookshelves and cabinets he sells at Howard Family Designs, the furniture business he owns with his wife in Warren.”
“But Howard, who uses wood imported from Canada, says they are having to reevaluate the cost of manufacturing high-quality furniture following President Donald Trump’s announcement that he will impose tariffs on foreign goods imported into the United States.”
“The Trump administration is on the cusp of a trade war with Mexico, Canada, and China after Trump threatened in January to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, and 10% tariffs on Chinese products.”
“If Howard is forced to raise his prices and customers look for cheaper products elsewhere, he said, a loss of revenue would significantly affect his ability to pay for help in his shop.”
