NextFin news, On Thursday, September 18, 2025, approximately 100 small business owners convened outside the US Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., to express their grievances over the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, which they say have severely affected their businesses.
Travis McMaster, general manager of Cocoon USA, a travel goods brand based in Washington state, shared his experience of shifting manufacturing from China to India to avoid trade tensions. However, since August, US tariffs of 50 percent on many Indian products have surpassed the 30-percent tariffs on Chinese goods, adversely impacting his business.
These tariffs are part of a broader set of duties Trump has imposed since returning to the presidency in January 2025, including sweeping 10-percent tariffs on most trading partners and higher rates on specific countries such as the European Union and Vietnam. Additionally, sector-specific tariffs on steel and aluminum remain in effect.
The tariffs have faced legal challenges. In August, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld a lower court ruling that Trump exceeded his authority by using emergency economic powers to impose broad tariffs. However, the court allowed the tariffs to remain until mid-October, pending a Supreme Court hearing scheduled for November 5, 2025.
Small business owners report struggling to adapt to the rapidly changing trade policies. Michael Buechi, a seller of Thai curries and sauces, stated that the tariffs have made continuing his business nearly impossible, leading him to halt new orders from Thailand.
Tiffany Williams, owner of a luggage store in Texas, highlighted the unpredictability of trade policies and rising prices from major brands, which threaten customer acceptance of higher retail costs. She expressed difficulty in seeing the promised long-term benefits of the tariffs.
The business community calls for more stable and predictable trade policies, emphasizing that their operations cannot be managed on sudden policy shifts and that the country should not be governed by such whims.
The ongoing legal battle over the tariffs' legality continues to create uncertainty for small businesses across the United States as they await the Supreme Court's decision.
Explore more exclusive insights at nextfin.ai.
