In a recent gathering of small businesses in Vermont, Senator Peter Welch, a Democrat, heard first-hand the concerns of local entrepreneurs regarding the Trump administration's tariff policies.
The attendees, representing a cross-section of the state's economy, expressed fears that these policies would not only impact their businesses but also deal a significant blow to Vermont's vital tourism sector.
"These tariffs are a self-inflicted wound," Welch, who has co-sponsored a bipartisan bill to repeal them, stated in an interview with Fox News Digital. He further elaborated, "And theyre already raising prices for businesses, farmers and working families across rural America. Everyone will be affected by President Trump's trade war, it doesn't matter what your political point of view is or where you live."
This sentiment resonated with the participants at Welch's roundtable in Stowe, a town near the Quebec border. Jen Kimmich, who operates Alchemist Brewery, voiced the collective uncertainty, saying, "I think I speak for all of us when I say we don't know how they're going to affect us. What we do know is that these tariffs are happening. We do know prices are going to go up, but we don't know how much."
Kimmich's brewery, like many businesses, is deeply entwined with global manufacturing. She explained how her aluminum, produced domestically, incorporates recycled metal from Brazil, which is processed in Canada before returning to Vermont. The tariff policies have already forced Alchemist to increase its prices by 5% and absorb an additional 10% cost.
Kimmich also highlighted the negative impact of the tariffs on Vermont's tourism industry, noting a significant decrease in visitors from across the northern border. "At every single level, these tariffs make no economic sense," she said. "The tariffs are unfair, and they're already creating enormous uncertainty. I'm working to help Vermont maintain the strength of its small businesses."
Christa Bowdish, owner of the Old Stagecoach Inn, echoed these concerns. She revealed that 95% of her business comes from tourism, with Canadians making up a significant portion. Bowdish noted a decline in web traffic from Canada, which she suspects is linked to the tariff situation. She shared a letter from a Canadian tourist who canceled their trip due to the political rhetoric towards Canada, stating, "This is long-lasting damage to a relationship, and emotional damage takes time to heal. While people arent visiting Vermont, theyll be finding new places to visit, making new memories, building new family traditions, and we will not recapture all of that."
Caleb Magoon, owner of Power Play Sports, expressed concerns about potential supply chain issues due to the tariffs. "The big challenge for me is going to be supply chain issues. At my two stores, because were general sporting goods stores, I work with over 100 vendors who are making products literally across the globe, from Dubai to China to right down the road in Waterbury."
The representatives of ski and snowsports businesses, many of which do not open until November, also expressed uncertainty about the impact of the tariffs. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for a response to the concerns raised by the senator and business owners. The administration's stance on these tariffs, and their impact on small businesses and the tourism industry in Vermont, remains a contentious issue.
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