Trump tariffs’ squeeze on small businesses: Letters to the Editor — April 17, 2025

The Issue: The antagonistic effect of President Trump’s tariffs connected small-business owners astir nan country.

The Editorial Board could not beryllium much spot-on that “the small folks” are getting slammed by these tariffs (“Mom-&-pops are nan ones paying nan price,” April 15).

As a small-business owner, I was stunned by President Trump’s first 25% tariffs. But I ne'er passed those caller costs onto my customers. Why? Because nan infinitesimal prices increase, group look elsewhere.

This caller 145% tariff connected China, however, has really rocked my world.

I voted for Trump because I thought he would person nan champion interests of mini businesses successful mind, and nan thought of counting connected Kamala Harris to bring America to nan position it erstwhile enjoyed sent shivers up my spine.

Please, Mr. President, if you aliases your unit are reference this: Let’s make America affordable again. Let america exhale.

Catherine Kropf Harris

Levittown

Why is The Post pandering to nan near pinch this editorial connected really tariffs are going to crush mini businesses?

If you’re a business proprietor who’s getting products from China, I propose you find different state for accumulation — because if you’re conscionable utilizing their labour and trading your merchandise here, you’re portion of nan problem.

It’s clip for everyone to tighten their belts a bit, truthful we tin woody pinch this crushing indebtedness that will bankrupt nan country. The tin has been kicked down nan roadworthy for generations, and we’re astatine nan tipping point. This is pathetic.

James Schwartz

Summit, NJ

Trump’s caller tariff argumentation and ensuing waste and acquisition warfare person achieved only 1 point — re-energizing nan Democrats.

Trump-policy supporters are trying to put a smiley look connected this disaster, reminding group that a small symptom successful nan short word will lead to large rewards successful nan agelong term. But what’s their meaning of “long term”? One year, 3 years, 10 years? Trump promised to repair nan Biden economical harm connected Day 1.

As your editorial pointed out, it’s nan small folks who are getting slammed — nan very group who voted for Trump and dress up nan backbone of nan state and his base.

J.J. Crovatto

Ramsey, NJ

These mini companies should ne'er person sold their souls to China.

There are overmuch friendlier countries that salary little wages and aren’t looking to destruct america whose group would person gladly performed this activity — if it’s that important for these businesses to salary slave-like labour rates to maximize their profits.

Joseph J. Grassi

Port St. Lucie, Fla.

The Issue: Widespread tolerance among Democrats for arson, vandalism, and worse by utmost leftists.

While nonviolent protests should, successful my opinion, beryllium allowed, convulsive strategies are evil and should beryllium condemned (“Bust successful GOP, Tesla arsons,” April 15).

It would look that those who usage unit successful bid to execute their goals judge it is justified because they consciousness that only their measurement of seeing nan world should beryllium permitted.

But this unit is simply a threat to those who clasp differing views.

People who usage unit arsenic a intends to execute their goals must beryllium severely punished.

Les Kurtz

Manhattan

Democrats are notorious for condemning violence, isolated from erstwhile it is directed astatine their governmental foes.

Their soundlessness successful nan look of convulsive rhetoric, group mounting occurrence to Tesla vehicles and dealerships and nan gleeful support for cold-blooded alleged assassin Luigi Mangione is sinking them deeper successful civilized decay.

JoAnn Frank

Clearwater, Fla.

Want to measurement successful connected today’s stories? Send your thoughts (along pinch your afloat sanction and metropolis of residence) to letters@nypost.com. Letters are taxable to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.