FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2025
Contact: [email protected]
Yesterday, as the Trump Administration announced new tariffs, North Carolina’s agricultural and brewing sectors gathered in Asheville to raise alarms about the detrimental effects on their businesses and consumers. These new tariffs are expected to significantly increase operational costs for farmers and brewers, potentially leading to higher prices for consumers and threatening the viability of local businesses and tourism.
New polling from Tariffs Cost Us and the nonpartisan pollster Morning Consult found:
- Four-in-five NC voters (71%) expect the cost of goods they purchase to increase because of tariffs, including two-in-three Republicans (66%) and three-in-four Independents (72%).
- Three-in-four North Carolina voters (70%) say they are trying to spend less money because of tariffs.
- A majority (54%) of NC voters believe that American consumers will be harmed the most by tariffs and/or a resulting trade war. And, a majority of Republicans (60%) believe American consumers, businesses, and/or farmers will be hurt the most.
WPDE: ‘Pouring salt in a wound’: Business owners worried tariffs will force them to raise prices
Wendy Brugh, Owner of Dry Ridge Farm, expressed frustration: “These tariffs are pouring salt in a wound that is just now beginning to heal.”
WLOS 13: North Carolina business owners talk tariff impacts
Mary Carroll Dodd, owner of Red Scout Farm in Buncombe County, said she may have no choice but to pass it on to customers buying produce from her small farm.
“Honestly I’m ready to not have to be resilient. Today we’re facing tariffs that will increase our costs on everything from fertilizer and feed to construction materials and tractors…We are looking at raising prices on most all of our items by 25-to-50 cents,” said Dodd.
Benjamin Colvin, President and Founder of Devil’s Foot Beverage Company, emphasized the broader impact: “Beyond the production costs that we’re going to see, I’m already seeing everything from 8 to 11% increase to begin… it’s concerning it’s going to be expensive it’s going to require us all to make decisions”
Leah Wong-Ashburn, President of Highland Brewing, noted, “Most of our beer is put in cans, and our aluminum prices have gone up 17% this calendar year and are expected to go even higher…the efforts to make aluminum here would be complex, costly, and take a lot of time and it won’t come soon enough. We don’t have options, consumers have spoken.”
Jacob Vertel, COO of Eagles Nest Outfitters, highlighted competitive disadvantages: “These tariffs are giving advantage to direct consumer brands, many based abroad, that continue to flood the U.S. market with low-quality products imported directly from the countries these tariffs were meant to penalize.”
Leah Wong-Ashburn, President of Highland Brewing, noted, “We’re facing serious profitability issues and tough decisions. We can’t raise prices because consumers have hit their limit on what they’re going to pay for a 6 pack.”
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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.
