Trump tariffs squeeze on small businesses: Letters to the Editor April 17, 2025

The Editorial Board could not be more spot-on that “the little folks” are getting slammed by these tariffs (“Mom-&-pops are the ones paying the price,” April 15).As a small-business owner, I was stunned by President Trump’s initial 25% tariffs.But I never passed those new costs onto my customers.

Why? Because the minute prices increase, people look elsewhere.This new 145% tariff on China, however, has really rocked my world.I voted for Trump because I thought he would have the best interests of small businesses in mind, and the thought of counting on Kamala Harris to bring America to the status it once enjoyed sent shivers up my spine.Please, Mr.President, if you or your staff are reading this: Let’s make America affordable again.

Let us exhale.Catherine Kropf HarrisLevittownWhy is The Post pandering to the left with this editorial on how tariffs are going to crush small businesses?If you’re a business owner who’s getting products from China, I suggest you find another country for production — because if you’re just using their labor and selling your merchandise here, you’re part of the problem.It’s time for everyone to tighten their belts a bit, so we can deal with this crushing debt that will bankrupt the country.The can has been kicked down the road for generations, and we’re at the tipping point.

This is pathetic.James SchwartzSummit, NJTrump’s new tariff policy and ensuing trade war have achieved only one thing — re-energizing the Democrats.Trump-policy supporters are trying to put a smiley face on this disaster, reminding people that a little pain in the short term will lead to big rewards in the long term.

But what’s their definition of “long term”? One year, three years, 10 years? Trump promised to repair the Biden economic damage on Day 1.As your editorial pointed out, it’s the little folks who are getting slammed — the very people who voted for Trump and make up the backbone of the country and his base.J.J.

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