East County business leaders speak out on impacts of tariffs

By G. A. McNeeley 

April 14, 2025 (San Diego) – On Wednesday, April 9, President Donald Trump temporarily dropped tariff rates on imports from most of the United States’ trade partners to 10% (for 90 days), to allow trade negotiations with those countries. 

Trump announced the pause hours after goods from nearly 90 nations became subject to tariffs imposed by the United States, according to CNBC. 

On Thursday, April 3, a libertarian group (that’s been funded by Leonard Leo and Charles Koch) mounted a lawsuit against Trump's tariffs (which sent international markets plummeting), according to The Guardian. 

By Miriam Raftery

March 10, 2025 (San Diego) -- As President Donald Trump rolls out hefty tariffs on imported goods from America’s biggest trading partners—Mexico, Canada, and China,  American businesses and consumers are bearing the brunt, with higher prices on everything from steel and lumber to food and consumer products.

The action has drawn opposition even from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, normally a staunch Republican ally. In a press release, the Chamber warns, “Tariffs on Canada and Mexico will have a real, devastating impact on thousands of small businesses across the nation — and on all Americans in the form of higher prices.”