NextFin news, On Thursday, September 25, 2025, the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, published findings from a recent survey assessing how Tennessee business leaders are responding to tariffs imposed during Donald Trump’s presidency.
The survey, conducted among business owners across Tennessee, found that just under 50% of respondents reported that tariffs had affected their operations to a small degree. Meanwhile, 26.4% of those surveyed indicated that tariffs had a substantial impact on their businesses.
According to the Boyd Center, approximately 44.2% of Tennessee business owners who participated in the survey said they were passing some of the tariff-related costs onto their customers. This suggests that the tariffs have influenced pricing strategies within the state’s business community.
The survey aimed to provide insight into the economic repercussions of federal trade policies at the state level, particularly focusing on how tariffs have altered business costs, supply chains, and competitive positioning for Tennessee companies.
The Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research is a recognized institution affiliated with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, specializing in economic data analysis and business research. The survey results were shared publicly through WATE 6 On Your Side, a local news outlet covering East Tennessee.
This survey comes amid ongoing national debates about the effectiveness and consequences of tariffs as a trade policy tool, highlighting the localized effects on business leaders in Tennessee as of late September 2025.
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