‘I don’t have the cash to pay for these tariffs’: US small biz suffers

Al Jazeera - May 9th, 2025

US small businesses, including Idaho-based Wild Rye, are grappling with the financial burden of high tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Cassie Abel, founder of Wild Rye, faces $1.2 million in tariffs on her fall lineup, threatening her business's survival. To cope, she has halted hiring and salary increases, and plans to raise prices, but is unsure if this will be enough to save her company. Abel, along with other business leaders, has sought government assistance, but political divisions and fear of retribution impede progress.

The tariffs are part of a broader strategy to bring manufacturing jobs back to the US, but small businesses reliant on international supply chains are disproportionately affected. The tariffs have already impacted the US economy, with GDP falling and consumer confidence at a 13-year low. Other small businesses, like Brooklyn Delhi and Anjali's Cup, face similar challenges, as they struggle to source ingredients domestically and consider redesigning packaging to mitigate costs. The situation highlights the precarious position of small businesses in the face of major economic policy shifts.

Donald Trump Economic Impact Trade Policy Small Businesses Us Tariffs Cassie Abel Wild Rye

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RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article effectively highlights the challenges faced by small businesses due to tariffs, providing a timely and relevant perspective on an ongoing economic issue. It presents a balanced view by including perspectives from business owners and government officials, though it could benefit from a broader range of sources and viewpoints to enhance its depth and reliability.

The use of specific examples and personal stories makes the article engaging and relatable, while the inclusion of economic data grounds it in the current context. However, some claims require further verification, and the article could improve transparency by providing more detailed explanations of data sources and methodologies.

Overall, the article is well-written and accessible, with the potential to influence public opinion and spark meaningful discussion about trade policies and their impact on small businesses. It effectively addresses a topic of public interest, though it could be strengthened by exploring potential solutions or policy recommendations to address the challenges faced by small businesses.

Accuracy

The article presents several factual claims that require verification, such as the specific tariff rates imposed by President Trump. It claims a 145% tariff on Chinese imports and a 10% tariff on others, which needs precise verification as tariffs can vary by product category. Additionally, the economic impacts mentioned, like the GDP decline and job growth figures, should be cross-referenced with official economic data to ensure accuracy.

The story accurately highlights the challenges faced by small businesses due to tariffs, which aligns with broader reports on the issue. However, the claim about Wild Rye facing a $1.2 million tariff bill needs confirmation from company records or statements. The narrative about economic pressures on small businesses is consistent with known impacts of tariffs, but specific numbers and claims should be checked for precision.

Overall, while the story captures the essence of the challenges, the accuracy of specific figures and claims requires further verification against reliable sources to ensure the article's factual integrity.

Balance

The article provides a balanced view by presenting perspectives from small business owners affected by tariffs, like Cassie Abel of Wild Rye and Chitra Agrawal of Brooklyn Delhi. It also includes comments from government officials, such as US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, providing a broader view of the issue.

However, the article could improve balance by including more diverse viewpoints, such as those of policymakers supporting the tariffs or economists who might offer insights into the long-term economic benefits or drawbacks of such policies. This would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.

The inclusion of both business and government perspectives helps in presenting a balanced narrative, but the article could benefit from a deeper exploration of opposing viewpoints or potential solutions to the challenges faced by small businesses.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the challenges faced by small businesses due to tariffs. The use of specific examples, such as the experiences of Wild Rye and Brooklyn Delhi, helps to illustrate the broader issue.

However, some sections could benefit from clearer explanations, particularly regarding economic terms and the implications of tariffs. Simplifying complex economic concepts or providing additional context could enhance understanding for readers less familiar with the topic.

Overall, the article maintains a neutral tone and presents information in an accessible manner, but there is room for improvement in simplifying and clarifying certain technical aspects.

Source quality

The article cites statements from business owners and a government official, which are credible sources for the perspectives they represent. However, it lacks a diverse range of sources, such as economic analysts or trade experts, who could provide additional context and authority on the topic.

The reliance on anecdotal evidence from specific businesses like Wild Rye and Brooklyn Delhi provides insight into the real-world impact of tariffs but limits the breadth of the analysis. Including data from industry reports or studies on the broader economic impact of tariffs would enhance the article's credibility.

Overall, while the sources used are relevant, the article would benefit from a more varied and authoritative set of sources to strengthen its reliability and depth.

Transparency

The article provides some context for the challenges faced by small businesses due to tariffs, but it lacks transparency in explaining the methodology behind certain claims, such as the specific tariff rates and their calculation.

There is limited disclosure about the basis for some economic claims, like the GDP decline and consumer confidence figures. Providing sources for these statistics would enhance transparency and allow readers to assess the validity of the claims.

The article could improve by offering more detailed explanations of the data sources and methodologies used, as well as any potential conflicts of interest that might affect the perspectives presented.