| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 2, 2025 Contact: [email protected] |
With President Trump set to announce another round of tariffs this afternoon, Georgia businesses, farmers, and consumers are bracing for immediate economic disruptions. 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. Tariffs on imports are 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:
- “Tariffs on lumber and appliances set stage for higher costs on new homes and remodeling projects”
the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“The Trump administration’s tariffs on imported goods from Canada, Mexico and China — some already in place, others set to take effect in a few weeks — are already driving up the cost of building materials used in new residential construction and home remodeling projects.”
- “Georgia craft brewers bracing for impact from aluminum, steel tariffs”
WSB-TV
The tariff tension has triggered concerns among the state’s craft breweries as they face the specter of higher prices for aluminum and steel. With the Trump administration imposing a 25% tariff, brewers could be left with a bitter aftertaste.
- “Georgia’s builders and manufacturers steel themselves for tariff price hikes”
theAtlanta Journal-Constitution
The NAHB estimated that Trump’s first wave of tariffs against those countries and China will raise the cost of imported construction materials by $3 billion to $4 billion. - “Georgia entrepreneurs brace for tariff impacts, try to plan for uncertain future”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Experts say tariffs and the general uncertainty around President Donald Trump’s economic policies have small business owners trying to plan for a future they can’t forecast.”
- “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 scenarios, 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.”
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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.
