Atlanta, Georgia (Atlanta News First) – The 100th day of President Donald Trump is Tuesday. The economic policies that he implemented since he returned to the White House are beginning to affect Georgia’s businesses.
From a manufacturing company that manufactures its products in the United States, to a wholesaler who obtains almost all its products outside the United States, the new Trump tariffs are a waiting game for companies.
Since he assumed the position for the second time, a commercial war has resulted in 145% of tariffs on Chinese imports.
Little businesses said they are seeing increases in rates prices, specifically of Chinese products. Some of them tell Atlanta News that they want to wait and see if they can expect to bring Chinese products so as not to pass those costs to customers.
Several companies have told Atlanta News first that they have to rethink the way they will operate among the new tariffs, and some agree and disagree with tariffs.
The administrator of small US businesses Kelly Loeffler, former American senator of Georgia, spoke Monday at the Winton Machine Company, a small company in Suwanee, about the economic policies of the Trump administration in its first 100 days.
Loeffler emphasized that the objective of the administration is a leveling playing field for small businesses.
“In favor of a level playing field, whatever it is,” said Lisa Winton, CEO of Winton Machine Company.
Winton makes machines for companies to bend the metal tube for things like chairs or pool inlet railings.
She said she is not receiving much from China, although some electrical components are importing. She said that prices increases will have to be absorbed, but it is still optimistic.
“In the scheme of things, because we are doing everything here, I hope there is an act of balance in which that comes into play. It’s just a lot of uncertainty at this time,” Winton said.
Eric Lee manages the Superline Wholesale Network. Lee said 50% of his products come from China. The other half comes from countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Honduras.
Lee said an order abroad can take six months to a year from production to shipping. His last sending of China is ready, but they are neglecting the shipment to avoid paying the highest tax.
“Fortunately for us, there are other manufacturers like Shaka Wear. They do things in Honduras. Taxes were not so affected. So that’s where we are carrying that inventory,” Lee said.
Loeffler said tariffs are about fair trade. When Atlanta News asked him for the first time about his plan to help those who fight with tariffs at this time, she replied that she is focused on reducing taxes for companies.
“These small companies would fasten absolutely under the weight of a tax increase,” Loeffler said.
Loeffler added that this is an important moment for negotiations on tariffs, but they say that tariffs are only part of the long -term plan of the Trump administration for companies.
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