As the Trump administration’s across-the-board tariffs take effect, New Jersey’s trade-dependent economy is feeling the first shocks. Businesses across the state—especially in pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, agriculture, and port logistics—are confronting higher costs for imported inputs, the risk of lost export sales, and tighter supply chains. With the Port of New York and New Jersey serving as a critical hub for both imports and exports, the new tariffs threaten to impact thousands of jobs, from dockworkers and truckers to manufacturers and farmers.

Tariff Impact on New Jersey: By the Numbers

New Jersey’s economy is deeply integrated with global markets. In 2023, the state exported $42.9 billion in goods, ranking 14th nationally. These exports supported more than 1.2 million jobs across various sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, and shipping. The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest on the East Coast and a critical gateway for both imports and exports.

• Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences: New Jersey is known as the “Medicine Chest of the World,” with the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector generating over $83 billion annually and employing nearly 83,000 people statewide. Tariffs on imported active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), lab equipment, and raw materials increase production costs and could disrupt global supply chains.
• Manufacturing: Manufacturing contributes $67.5 billion to New Jersey’s economy and employs over 255,000 workers. Key exports include chemicals ($11.1B), computer and electronic products ($6.2B), and primary metal manufacturing. Tariffs on imported inputs raise costs and risk retaliatory measures that harm export markets.
• Agriculture & Food Products: Agriculture in New Jersey contributes more than $1.5 billion annually to the state’s economy. The state’s top agricultural exports include fresh and processed fruits, and other plant products. Tariffs on produce, along with retaliatory tariffs from key trade partners, hurt farmers, fisheries, and food processors.
• Port & Logistics: The Port of New York and New Jersey handled 7.8 million TEUs in 2023, making it the second-busiest container port in the U.S. Tariffs that reduce export volumes or increase import costs threaten port revenues, trucking companies, warehousing operations, and the over 560,000 associated jobs.