MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Proposed tariffs from the Trump Administration on foreign countries like Canada and Mexico could impact residents in Northeast Louisiana by February 1.
CNN reports that the expansion of tariffs could effect trade and increase prices on items like cars, medications and more for Americans.
President Trump told reporters tariffs on Canada and Mexico could be at 25% as soon as February 1.
In response, those countries could respond to those tariffs with tariffs of their own. This could cause the cost of goods to increase impacting people across the country, which includes those in Northeast Louisiana.
Mayor of Monroe Friday Ellis says residents of Northeast Louisiana could invest in their own communities.
He says “I would just remind everybody to try to their very best to shop local. With every dollar that is spent here, sixty cents stays in your community if you shop local. It’s very important that we make those conscious decisions to support our small business owners, especially at times, because all of this with talks of tariffs is speculative. Right now we don’t know. But even in these times where it may cost a little more, just make that conscious decision to stay local.”
Mayor Friday Ellis says in times where costs are high he wants to ensure seniors and those who are most vulnerable are aware of community resources that are available to them like United Way.
