Small Businesses Struggle with Trump-Era Tariffs

Owners describe how increased costs and lost opportunities forced layoffs and other hardships

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:11am

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Following an op-ed about the impact of Trump-era tariffs, the Washington Post asked readers who run small businesses to share how the tariffs affected their companies. Several owners described facing higher material costs, lost sales, and the need to lay off employees or forgo their own salaries as a result of the tariffs.

Why it matters

The stories highlight the disproportionate harm that broad tariffs can have on small businesses, which often lack the resources to absorb increased costs or find alternative suppliers. The owners' experiences contradict claims that tariffs primarily hurt foreign exporters, showing how the costs are passed on to American consumers and businesses.

The details

Kimberly Blanton, who owns a small remodeling business in Florida with her husband, said tariffs on materials used in kitchen and bath remodels forced them to raise prices, leading many customers to cancel projects. They had to lay off most of their employees, and the couple is now doing the work of four people themselves. Phillip Crowley, who runs a small business importing lasers, said his company paid tens of thousands in tariffs, slowing sales and forcing them to reduce salaries and delay hiring. Nancy Travers, a sales rep in the housewares industry, said the chaotic implementation of tariffs wasted millions of hours adjusting prices and products.

  • Last year, the company paid tens of thousands of dollars in tariffs.
  • The tariffs delayed purchases by customers, causing the business to slow.

The players

Kimberly Blanton

Owner of a small remodeling business in Alva, Florida.

Phillip Crowley

Owner of a small business that imports lasers used in manufacturing and research in Scotts Valley, California.

Nancy Travers

Sales representative in the housewares industry based in Menlo Park, California.

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What they’re saying

“Tariffs increased costs on many materials and items used in kitchen and bath remodels. We are too small to absorb the tariffs, so we had to raise our prices. Many people have decided not to remodel with prices increasing, so we have had fewer leads and prospects. We had to lay off most of our employees.”

— Kimberly Blanton, Owner, small remodeling business

“Our company paid tens of thousands of dollars in tariffs last year. The tariffs delayed purchases by our customers and our business slowed, forcing us to reduce salaries. As owners, we did not take salaries for some part of the year. We also delayed hiring any additional staff.”

— Phillip Crowley, Owner, small business importing lasers

“Tariffs not only caused prices to rise, to the detriment of shopkeepers and shoppers, but did so in such a chaotic way that millions of man-hours were wasted adjusting prices and products. That time can never be regained or refunded and could have been used in infinitely more productive ways.”

— Nancy Travers, Sales representative, housewares industry

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The stories from these small business owners illustrate the significant harm that broad tariffs can have on American companies, contradicting claims that the costs are primarily borne by foreign exporters. The disruption and increased costs forced layoffs, reduced salaries, and lost opportunities, highlighting the need for a more targeted and thoughtful approach to trade policy.