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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums'Nowhere to turn': Small businesses dependent on imports from China are feeling more desperate
https://apnews.com/article/china-tariffs-small-business-economy-imports-7bc7a0d07ddac551b3b24a5e477ccb0cNowhere to turn': Small businesses dependent on imports from China are feeling more desperate
By MAE ANDERSON
Updated 9:08 AM CDT, April 29, 2025
NEW YORK (AP) Major orders canceled. Containers of products left stranded overseas. No roadmap for what comes next.
The Trump administration raised tariffs on goods from China to 145% in early April. Since then, small business owners who depend on imports from China to survive have become increasingly desperate as they eye dwindling inventory and skyrocketing invoices.
Game makers are particularly susceptible to the tariffs since the majority of games and toys sold in the U.S. are made in China, according to The Toy Association.
Jeremy Rice co-owns House, a home-décor shop in Lexington, Kentucky, that specializes in artificial flower arrangements for the home. About 90% of the flowers his business uses are made in China.
Rice ordered his holiday décor early this year. But even after stocking up ahead of the tariffs, he only has enough everyday floral inventory in to last two to three months.
Jim Umlaufs business, 4Knines, based in Oklahoma City, makes vehicle seat covers and cargo liners for dog owners and others. To do so, he needs raw materials such as fabric, coatings and components from China.
We only have a limited amount of inventory left, and without some relief, well run out soon, Umlauf said.
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Javaman
(63,740 posts)in about 2 weeks we will see the first effects.
it won't be pretty.
if you are a bankruptcy attorney, you are going to make bank.
dalton99a
(88,399 posts)getagrip_already
(17,705 posts)The shirts, mugs, candles, and other items they print (contracted out to another company) their cute or topical sayings on when a customer buys one of their products all come from china.
Supplies are running out, and if replacements are available, they are very expensive.
The amount of people that will pay $75 for a $30 tee shirt are very few.
Sales typically drop in spring and summer, but they have fallen off a cliff this year. Between inflation for everyday goods, the price hikes from their suppliers, and fear, people just aren't buying like they were.
The good news is that a lot of sellers don't hold either inventory or capitol equipment, so only their income is going to disappear. But losing income is like losing your job. It will still hurt.
usonian
(17,368 posts)But only the very wealthy can buy a dispensation from Pope Donald
The entire purpose of this shit show.
I guess there's only one ethical way for business to survive and thrive, and it's stepping on the throats of congresspeople.
Are they between a rock and a hard place? You betcha, and they put themselves there.
Between a shark and a battery, so to speak.
Note to business people: members of congress are a lot cheaper to bribe than the Commander in Grift.