Tariffs hurt his business. He's voting for Trump anyway

Alan Chadwick, a businessman from Wyoming, has been importing clothing from China and selling it to stores that cater to working cowboys for nearly 35 years. Recently, as former President Donald Trump campaigns on a promise to impose tariffs on all goods entering the United States, Chadwick finds himself in a difficult position. Trump’s proposed tariffs could range from 10% to 20%, and even as high as 60% for products coming from China. This situation has forced Chadwick to reconsider his business strategy. At 66 years old, he is contemplating relocating his manufacturing operations to countries like India or Pakistan, or possibly shutting down his business, Wyoming Traders, which currently employs 16 people, and retiring. Chadwick views these tariffs as a 'tax on the American people' and believes that the cost of establishing a factory in the US is simply too high. However, when it comes time to vote, he is prepared to overlook his concerns about tariffs in favor of other pressing issues, such as illegal immigration and opposition to abortion. 'I will vote for Trump even though he's going to hurt our company if he does what he says he's going to do,' he stated. This willingness to set aside concerns about tariffs highlights the complex nature of American politics. Many voters are willing to ignore certain issues if they feel strongly about others. Trump’s stance on tariffs represents a significant shift in American trade policy, moving away from the country’s historical support for free trade towards a more protectionist approach aimed at safeguarding American jobs and businesses from foreign competition, despite the potential economic consequences. During his first term, Trump imposed tariffs on thousands of items from China, a move that President Joe Biden has continued despite previously criticizing these measures. This year, Trump has made tariffs a central theme of his presidential campaign, calling them 'the most beautiful word in the dictionary. ' He argues that these tariffs will create jobs, revitalize American manufacturing, increase wages, and generate billions of dollars from foreign countries. 'We’re going to be a tariff nation. It’s not going to be a cost to you, it’s going to be a cost to another country,' he has claimed during his campaign. However, many traditional economists reject Trump’s assertions, arguing that such policies would do little to boost employment in the US while raising costs for American consumers and hindering global economic growth. For instance, a report from the Tax Foundation predicts that the tariffs could lead to a loss of 684,000 jobs and a 0. 8% reduction in GDP, without even considering the likely retaliatory measures from other countries. The Peterson Institute for International Economics estimates that the average American household could see costs rise by at least $1,700 due to these tariffs. Economist Wendy Edelberg, director of the Hamilton Project, criticized Trump’s promises, stating, 'It's absurd. This is not the panacea that people are hoping for. ' Despite these warnings, some polls indicate that Trump’s tariff proposals resonate with voters. A September poll by Reuters/Ipsos found that 56% of likely voters supported Trump’s plans. Kyle Plesa, a 39-year-old Trump supporter from Miami, expressed that while he does not believe the tariffs will have the exact impact Trump claims, he appreciates that Trump is addressing the issues caused by globalization. 'People are upset about it and I think Trump is at least addressing it,' he said. Plesa added that he would prefer to protect American businesses and accept higher prices due to tariffs rather than deal with the current inflation and tax increases proposed by the left. On the other hand, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has criticized Trump’s tariff expansion plans, labeling them a 'national sales tax' and promising a more targeted approach. Trump, however, argues that the revenue generated from tariffs could lead to significant tax cuts, even suggesting the possibility of eliminating income tax altogether. Meanwhile, President Biden’s decision to maintain and expand Trump’s tariffs on China, including on electric vehicles, has allowed Trump to claim a policy victory. Biden has also endorsed other protectionist measures, such as substantial government spending to bolster manufacturing in sectors like semiconductors and green energy. Both Biden and Harris have opposed foreign takeovers of American companies, raising concerns in the business community about foreign investment. Michael Froman, who served as the US trade representative under President Obama, noted that the US's shift towards tariffs and restrictions on foreign investment is likely to persist. 'There certainly is less enthusiasm around pursuing what we might call an affirmative trade agenda in terms of liberalisation, openness, reduction of barriers,' he said. 'We just have to recognise that none of these policies are actually free. They all impose some kind of trade-off. ' Jason Trice, co-chief executive of Jasco, an Oklahoma-based lighting and electronics company, shared his experience with tariffs. Since 2019, his company has paid hundreds of millions of dollars in tariffs while shifting its supply chain from China to countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. He explained that these changes have made his company less efficient and increased costs by about 10% to 15%, which he has had to pass on to retailers, ultimately raising prices and contributing to inflation. His business has seen a 25% decline in revenue since 2020, and its workforce has shrunk from 500 to 350 employees. 'In 50 years in business, the Chinese government has never done anything nearly as damaging to our business as what the Trump administration has done,' Trice stated. 'Tariffs have not helped bring jobs back to America. Tariffs have hurt American businesses and reduced employment opportunities. ' Mary Buchzeiger, the CEO of Lucerne International, a Michigan-based car parts supplier that has manufactured in China for decades, is also adapting to the new economic landscape. With government incentives, her company plans to open its first factory in Michigan in 2026, which is expected to create over 300 jobs over four years. However, Buchzeiger, a long-time Republican, believes that trying to 'build walls' against foreign competitors is misguided. 'I don’t think tariffs are a long-term solution,' she said. 'All we’re going to do is continue to make ourselves uncompetitive on a global scale.