Innovation Takes a Backseat at Small Companies as Tariffs Become a Full-Time Preoccupation

Local business owners, farmers discuss impact of tariffs

Farmers, small business owners, and experts gathered in Raleigh earlier this week to discuss the recent trade war’s impacts on their operations, customers, suppliers, and distributors and how to navigate the next move in the trade war.  President Donald Trump announced on April 2, or “Liberation Day,” that he would impose a 10% tariff on US imports from all countries. Trump asserted that trade economic practices have created a national emergency…

How tariffs are forcing small businesses to sacrifice innovation

Toy robots that teach children to code. Sneakers made in America. Mold-resistant kitchen gadgets.The three items are among new products that have gotten stuck in the pipeline due to President Donald Trump’s unpredictable trade policies, according to the brand founders behind the stalled items. They say that instead of fostering U.S. innovation, Trump’s tariffs are stifling it with extra costs and unexpected work.At Learning Resources in Vernon H…

Innovation takes a backseat at small companies as tariffs become a full-time preoccupation

Some U.S. business owners say President Donald Trump’s unpredictable trade policies are stifling the American ingenuity he hopes to foster.

The uncertainty of what lies ahead

“It’s really hard to focus on innovation and creativity when you’re consumed with this day-to-day of how we’re just going to balance the books and deal with the changing rates.”

Small Business Owners Are Sharing How Tariffs Are Affecting Them, And It's A Serious Crisis

When tariffs on Chinese goods spiked dramatically — peaking at over 100% in some cases before recent reductions — small business owners across America found themselves facing an impossible math problem. From toy designers to computer repair shops, countless entrepreneurs discovered that products…

What's Trending: Victor Hates Yeti

Trending today: the company Yeti takes a hit from heightened tariffs, which have an especially big impact on vacuum insulation. (This actually delights Victor, who hates Yeti with a borderline-irrational passion – almost enough to cheer Donald Trump for dinging the company with his economic policy. Almost.) Want to know what folks are talking about on social media? Every weekday on 97.9 The Hill’s “This Morning with Aaron Keck,” Victor Lewis sco…