Since the Trump administration implemented a series of tariffs, small and medium-sized businesses across the U.S. are grappling with rising operational costs and strained supply chains. The measures, aimed at protecting domestic industries, have inadvertently intensified trade conflicts, triggering retaliatory tariffs and sparking lawsuits from multiple states. Businesses and consumers alike face mounting daily expenses, from groceries to fuel, while stock market fluctuations compound financial uncertainty.
In an interview with CGTN Stringer, Harrison Lewis, a Dallas-based physical therapist and founder of an activewear brand, shared his challenges. \"Like countless small business owners, I’m struggling to keep up,\" Lewis said. \"Tariffs have forced me to hunt for cheaper suppliers overseas, but even then, the rising costs of everything—gas, travel, materials—are squeezing margins.\" His sentiment reflects a broader anxiety among entrepreneurs adapting to cascading economic pressures.
Analysts warn that prolonged trade tensions could reshape global supply chains, with Asian markets potentially seeing shifts in manufacturing and investment flows. For now, business owners like Lewis remain focused on survival, balancing affordability with quality in an increasingly unpredictable trade landscape.
