How Trump’s Tariffs Will Hurt Small Businesses—And What You Can Do About It

If you’re a small business owner or a conscious shopper, you’ll probably feel it—prices creeping up, supply chain headaches, and uncertainty looming over every purchase. Trump’s tariffs—yes, the ones he loves to throw around like confetti at a rally—will hit small businesses hard. And as usual, it’s the little guys (a.k.a. us) who will pay the price.

What’s Happening?

Tariffs are essentially taxes on imported goods. And while they might sound like they’re only a problem for giant corporations, the reality is that they disproportionately hurt small businesses that rely on affordable supplies, materials, and products to keep their operations running.

Trump’s tariff policies—whether it was the trade war with China or the increased costs on essential materials like steel, aluminum, and electronics or literally everything—will make everything from sourcing products to manufacturing custom goods more expensive for small businesses.

Meanwhile, big corporations? They have the resources to weather the storm, shift production, and pass extra costs onto consumers. Small businesses? Not so much.

How Small Businesses Are Feeling the Pinch

For small business owners, tariffs mean:

• Higher Costs – Everything from fabric to packaging to parts will become more expensive, cutting into already tight margins.
• Supply Chain Nightmares – Delays, backorders, and price hikes will make it harder to keep products in stock and meet customer demand.
• Fewer Choices – Many businesses rely on specific suppliers, and when those suppliers are hit with tariffs, small businesses are forced to either eat the cost or find (often lower-quality) alternatives.

And guess what? These increased costs often get passed on to consumers—meaning you’re paying more for the same products.

Who’s Benefiting? (Spoiler Alert: Not Us)

Tariffs were pitched as a way to protect American businesses, but small businesses and consumers are the ones taking the hit while mega-corporations continue to rake in profits. It’s yet another example of policies that favor the wealthy while leaving the rest of us scrambling to figure out how to make ends meet.

What Can You Do?

The good news? We still have power. Small businesses and conscious consumers can fight back by shopping intentionally and supporting businesses that align with our values. Here’s how:

✅ Shop small. Every dollar you spend at a small business helps offset rising costs and keeps ethical businesses afloat. (Hint: You can find a directory of them at LittleBlueCart.com!)

✅ Support businesses that prioritize ethical sourcing. Many small businesses are working overtime to find creative, values-driven solutions to these challenges—let’s make sure they survive and thrive.

✅ Stay informed. Tariffs and trade policies impact all of us. Know what’s happening, use your voice, and call out policies that are hurting small businesses.

✅ Vote with your dollars AND your ballot. We need leaders who actually support small businesses—not just the ones with billion-dollar lobbying budgets.

Speak Up

We can’t afford to stay silent. Here’s how to take action:

📢 Make the Call: A quick call can make a BIG impact. The Capitol Switchboard (202-224-3121) will connect you to your representatives in DC. Use this script (or make it your own!):

“Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent from [Your City, State]. I’m calling because I strongly oppose the new tariffs. They’re crushing small businesses with higher costs and supply chain chaos while giving corporations a free pass. I urge [Representative’s Name] to stand against these tariffs and fight for policies that actually support small businesses.”

📞 Use Advocacy Tools: 5 Calls takes the guess work out and makes it easy to call your reps by giving you scripts and direct phone numbers.

📧 Email or Write: The CivIQ app integrates directly with lawmakers’ constituent engagement systems to make sure your input reaches decision-makers efficiently.

📱 Use Your Socials: Tweet, post, comment—tag your reps and make sure they hear us loud and clear. Every share = more pressure on lawmakers.

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. They’re where we shop, where we gather, where we invest in a future that’s about people—not billionaires. Let’s make sure they’re not the ones paying the price for reckless policies.

Call. Email. Share. Take a stand. Because when we show up, we win.

Final Thoughts

Trump’s tariffs are yet another example of policies that claim to help American businesses but, in reality, hurt the very entrepreneurs and consumers that drive our economy.

At Little Blue Cart, we believe in economic policies that actually empower small businesses, not just the corporate elite. And we know that together, with every purchase, every share, and every vote, we can build an economy that reflects our values—one that lifts up small businesses, instead of pushing them down. 💙

Let’s keep shopping small, fighting big, and making sure our dollars go toward businesses that believe in a future we can be proud of. Check out our directory at LittleBlueCart.com and support small, progressive businesses today!