Written by Richard Ross, CEO of Galerie Candy & Gifts
As a small business owner, all of the tumultuous trade headlines are alarming. President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs felt less like freedom and more like a financial gut punch to businesses like mine.
When the cost of materials or sourcing our inventory goes up because of tariffs, we are all facing a dilemma: raise prices and risk losing loyal customers, or absorb the loss and many companies won’t be able to stay afloat. There’s no winning scenario. The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce also warns these tariffs could cost the average Kentuckian up to $1,200 a year. That means less money to spend at local businesses, which impacts our ability to thrive and support our communities.
What’s equally bad is the uncertainty. We can’t plan ahead when we don’t know which product or supplier will be targeted next. And many small businesses don’t have the financial resources or supply chains to navigate trade changes. While I’m doing what we need to do to stay competitive, these policies tilt the playing field against American small business.
Thankfully, Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul have shown courage by challenging these tariffs. Sen. McConnell rightly observed, “No matter our best intentions, tariffs are bad policy.” Sen. Paul was just as clear: “The truth is that tariffs are taxes.”
I hope more lawmakers can wake up to the reality that Senators McConnell and Paul already see: tariffs are more than just a bad idea; they’re a direct threat to small businesses.
Richard Ross
CEO of Galerie Candy & Gifts
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