The U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s global tariffs, ruling some as unconstitutional in a 6-3 ruling this morning.
Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva told AZPM that local business owners have already suffered the consequences of the president’s sweeping tariffs.
“I think we’ve seen with our economy, this attack on our immigrant communities and the threats of this back and forth tariffs — I’m going to, I’m not going to impose these tariffs — what ends up happening is that businesses and our economy is suffering. So my hope is that we’re going to be able to keep those pathways open for commerce going back and forth,” Grijalva said.
After speaking with business owners in Douglas on Thursday, Grijalva said the cost of materials has become unaffordable while household incomes fail to grow.
“There was somebody who’s an embroiderer and is buying shirts. And the shirts are literally $2.50 more per shirt because of the increased tariffs. Same company. Same quality,” she said. “So, unless she wants to go down in quality, she’s having to compete with big box stores that can buy in bulk.”
Grijalva recalled another Douglas business owner who runs a bar and told her it’s not easy to store bulk goods, which are less expensive per item.
“He’s like, ‘Where am I supposed to put this? I’m not Costco,’” she said.
Grijalva put out a statement later in the day that says she voted last week to terminate Trump’s tariff authorities.
“While I welcome the Supreme Court’s decision, the reality is that the damage has been done for far too many families and small businesses. This is especially true in border communities like those I represent, where small businesses that rely on cross-border trade, agricultural producers, and working families have all felt the squeeze as prices rise and supply chains are disrupted,” she wrote in the statement.
Trump has threatened a 10% tariff for 150 days that would make up for the losses of Friday’s ruling.
