WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — President Donald Trump has now enacted tariffs against Mexico, Canada and China, prompting many businesses in the D.C. area to worry about the potential impact on customers.
The owner of Port City Brewing in Alexandria said the tariffs will hurt his business and may lead to fewer customers.
“It’s very frustrating because it’s hard enough running a small business when your supply chain is intact,” owner Bill Butcher explained. “But when you have these ridiculous disruptions in the supply chain, it just causes chaos.”
Customers echoed Butcher’s frustrations.
“I just ordered a case here, so, if the prices go up, I honestly don’t know how often I’d order it again because it’s already like $15,” said customer D.J.
Butcher said his bottle caps are made in Mexico, and their bottles and base malts for all their beers come from Canada.
“If these tariffs hold, there will be an increase in our prices,” he said.
The U.S. is now taxing imports from Canada and Mexico at 25%, while tariffs on China went from 10% to 20%. In response, the three countries announced retaliatory tariffs on American imports.
“There could be some temporary short-term disruption and people will understand that. The tariffs are going to make us very rich and very strong,” Trump said about the tariffs.
Contrary to Trump’s optimism, Butcher worries the higher prices from these tariffs will scare customers away.
“It’d be a pretty decent impact,” he said.
