Tariffs strain key industries, raise prices for consumers, and threaten jobs and supply chains.
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2025 Contact: [email protected] |
WASHINGTON– As President Trump’s tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports take effect today, businesses and consumers across Georgia are already feeling the economic strain. The new trade policies threaten key industries that power the state’s economy, including agriculture, manufacturing, and logistics, and will increase costs for Georgia families. Tariffs will also impact companies ability to invest and grow in Georgia.
Tariff Impact on Georgia: By the Numbers
Georgia is a major trade hub, with the Port of Savannah being one of the busiest in the nation. The 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports, along with levies on Chinese and European Union goods, is expected to have widespread economic consequences.
- Agriculture: Georgia’s agricultural sector, which exports nearly $4 billion in goods annually, faces serious challenges from these tariffs. Tariffs on fertilizers and machinery will increase costs for farmers, while potential retaliatory tariffs threaten Georgia’s major exports like peanuts, pecans, and poultry.
- Manufacturing: With over 400,000 manufacturing jobs in the state, industries that rely on imported steel, aluminum, and components will see rising costs, including:
- Automotive: Georgia’s growing auto manufacturing sector will face increased costs of up to $3,000 per vehicle.
- Aerospace: Aerospace companies with operations in Georgia will see rising material costs.
- Carpet Industry: Dalton, the “Carpet Capital of the World,” relies on imported raw materials, and tariffs could disrupt production and raise consumer prices.
- Logistics and Trade: The Port of Savannah, a crucial gateway for international trade, handles over 4.6 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of cargo annually. Tariffs on imported goods could slow trade, eliminate jobs in warehousing and transportation, and disrupt supply chains.
What Local News is Saying
Recent headlines across Georgia highlight growing concerns over the new tariffs:
- “In Georgia, businesses are whipsawed by threat of tariffs, 11th hour pauses”The Atlanta Journal-Constitution “The tariffs — both threatened and implemented — and retaliatory measures are fueling concerns and unpredictability for consumers and businesses around the world.”
- “Georgia businesses develop game plans in face of tariff uncertainty”The Atlanta Journal-Constitution“Companies are preparing for potential scen arios, but are still unsure how tariffs will roll out.”
- “Georgia farmers would be hurt by China’s retaliatory tariffs” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Georgia farmers were already hurt last year when China imposed tariffs of 5% to 10% on many American products in the first round of the trade war.” - “Metro Atlanta contractors say steel, aluminum tariffs are ultimately going to impact you” WSB-TV
“If the tariff goes on and it’s a hard 25% in pricing change, that’s going to pass down to the consumer.”
What Small Business Owners are Saying
- “Prices are going to get passed down to us and we are going to have to pass that to our customers.” – Richard Ramey, owner of The Atlanta Eagle bar.
- “You can certainly absorb some increases, but others are going to have to be passed along to the customers.” “Garbett said the future of their business could be at stake, “How much of the price goes up and how much we can absorb to stay in business.” – Matt Garbett, co-owner of Westview Corner Grocery
- “I would say that containers we load for Chinese export now is probably in the 20 to 30% range of what we did prior to 2017,” said Mark Sanchez, CEO of Lane Southern Orchard. “It was dramatic, a dramatic decrease.”
Looking Ahead
As Georgia businesses and industries prepare for the effects of these new tariffs, business leaders and policymakers are calling for immediate solutions to mitigate economic harm. Given Georgia’s critical role in trade, agriculture, and manufacturing, there is growing pressure to reverse these tariffs and protect the state’s economy from further disruption.
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Tariffs Cost US is a new campaign of Trade Connects Us, a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization dedicated to providing the public with reliable, comprehensive information about global trade and tariffs, and their impact on both businesses and consumers.
