The costs and chaos of Trump's tariffs

As an American small-business owner, I am deeply worried about the future of my company and the livelihoods tied to it. The ridiculous tariffs that President Donald Trump had placed on imports from Europe may have appeared to target foreign businesses, but the reality in America is very different.

These costs, as many have noted, were not staying overseas — they were being passed directly to us Americans. For small businesses like mine, these added fees have felt less like trade policy and more like punishment. In fact, here and in Europe, Trump's tariffs are called a "punishment tax."

And now? It felt almost as if a miracle happened — as if the Supreme Court read my thoughts and ruled against Trump's global tariffs. Some friends said I must be in heaven. My immediate reaction was "You ain't seen nothin' yet."

My fear was when you stoke Trump's ego, you'll set him on fire, and that's exactly what happened. He immediately maligned the Supreme Court, trashing six justices and initiating new tariff retributions against the world. First 10%, then — what the heck, 15%. If that man could change our country's name, it would become the United States of Trump. His name should be President Chaos.

My company has been manufacturing band-saw blades for 38 of the 56 years I've been in this business, and it does approximately $3 million in gross annual sales. This year alone, without the Supreme Court's ruling, the added tariff costs would have been about $70,000. That money comes straight out of our net profit, which is needed for reinvestment in the business for growth, new equipment, maintenance issues and investing in the employees.

Over 20 years ago, we had outgrown the building I started the business in. To grow on Long Island would be impossible with the crippling cost of real estate and property taxes. Fortunately, I relocated my assembly employees and equipment to an affordable building and expandable property in Western Pennsylvania. The savings were incredible. My main office in Patchogue is still in my original building with four employees while the Western Pennsylvania facility has five.

Concerning the new tariffs: I still lay awake at night thinking about the future of my business. They have been scaring the hell out of me. I worry about the stability we've worked so hard to build over decades. I worry about what will happen next year and the year after that if these costs continue rising. Like so many other small-business owners, we don't have large profit cushions. We operate on thin margins, and policies like this cut straight into the core of our survival.

Small businesses are the backbone of this country. We are the ones who employ local workers, support communities — and keep the American economy alive at the ground level. Many of us have felt like we're being unintentionally harmed by policies meant to protect U.S. interests.

Without the court's ruling, many American entrepreneurs would have continued to face shrinking profits, financial instability and uncertain futures. Every business owner I know has been hurting.

We just want to support our country. I believe in America and hard work, in building something lasting. I only want the chance to keep doing that without being financially crushed by policies that were never meant to hurt us.

A friend asked if I expect a refund for all the tariffs I've already paid. I doubt it.

This guest essay reflects the views of Arthur Gschwind, founder and CEO of Suffolk Machinery Corp., creator of Timber Wolf Bandsaw Blades.