#TrumpTariffs
The Cost of Tariffs: A Short Story
In a small town in Ohio, Mike owned a steel manufacturing plant. When President Trump introduced tariffs on imported steel, Mike was thrilled. "Finally, we’ll have a level playing field!" he told his workers.
At first, business boomed. American steel became more expensive, but since foreign competitors had to pay tariffs, customers turned to local suppliers like Mike. He hired more workers and expanded his factory.
However, across town, Sarah owned an auto parts factory that relied on imported steel. The higher prices forced her to cut costs. She laid off workers and struggled to keep her business afloat. Car manufacturers, facing rising costs, also slowed production.
Soon, demand for Mike’s steel dropped. The companies that once bought from him were either shutting down or moving production overseas to avoid tariffs. What seemed like a win at first turned into a loss. Unemployment rose, prices for everyday goods increased, and even farmers suffered as other countries imposed retaliatory tariffs on American products.
In the end, Mike realized that while tariffs had protected his industry for a short time, they had hurt many others. "Maybe free trade isn't the enemy," he thought, watching his struggling town.
