Image
Artist's representation of cargo shipping containers with yellow banners in front labeled with the word "tariff"

Nebraska small businesses navigate Trump tariff uncertainty

© wildpixel - iStock-2189862167

Mark Moran
(Nebraska News Connection)

Click play to listen to this article.

Audio file

Results of a new survey of nearly 900 small business owners across the country show they are concerned about an uncertain economy, including the owners of small mom and pop operations in Nebraska.

The survey, conducted by Small Business for America's Future, shows that nearly 70 percent of small business owners think the Trump administration fell short on economic leadership during its first 100 days.

Image
PROMO 64J1 Business - Sign Open Chalk Board Arm - iStock - mikeinlondon

© iStock - mikeinlondon

They cited tariffs as a key factor in creating instability.

Gladys Harrison, owner of Big Mama's Kitchen and Catering in Omaha, said the tariffs will affect the cost of the imported seasonings she uses for her family's oven-fried chicken recipe.

"They're telling me," said Harrison, "that they could see a 25 percent to 145 percent increase with these tariffs in what they're going to charge me for my seasonings."

The Trump administration has said it is imposing tariffs in an effort to create more U.S.-based jobs and improve the domestic economy.

Harrison said she is thinking of ways to avoid closing her doors or passing the price increases on to her loyal customers, many of whom have been eating Big Mama's fried chicken for generations.

"And we don't want to have our food so expensive," said Harrison, "that the people who live and work in our community can't come and spend their money with us."

Harrison said higher costs will also hinder her ability to be involved in the community, a tradition she said her mother and grandmother taught her was critical to any small, family-owned business.