Elite US universities accused of prioritising foreign interests over American taxpayers
Centre of the American Experiment President John Hinderaker has criticised elite American universities, accusing them of cultivating 'unholy relationships' with foreign governments while turning their backs on the American taxpayers who fund them.
'University like Harvard gets billions of dollars in American taxpayer money, but they don't think that they are an American institution. They don't care,' Mr Hinderaker told Sky News host James Morrow.
'The last thing they care about is American taxpayers.
'They think they are a global institution and they train their students to be citizens of the world, and I think Donald Trump properly questions whether there's any reason why American taxpayers should be subsidising these operations to the tune of many billions of dollars.'
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30 minutes ago
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Softy, softly response to Trump's hard line on steel
Australia will not retaliate despite Donald Trump's "wrong" tariff hike decision on steel imports. Mr Trump plans to increase tariffs on foreign steel from 25 to 50 per cent to "further secure the steel industry in the United States". The move could impact 100,000 Australian jobs, with the sector exporting more than $414 million worth of products to the US in 2024. Trade Minister Don Farrell is calling on the Trump administration to reverse the decision and drop all tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium. "This will simply push up the price for consumers in the United States and do nothing for the prosperity of both of our nations," he told reporters on Saturday. Mr Farrell said the government would work with the US but reiterate the view that tariffs were "the wrong course of action" and "don't do what President Trump claims they will do". "We don't believe that retaliation is the right way to go here," he said. "We're going to cooly and calmly argue our case for the removal of these tariffs." Opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan said Mr Trump's call was concerning for Australian jobs. "The Albanese government needs to double its efforts to protect our steel industry and local jobs for our steel workers," he said. "This is why it is imperative that the Australian prime minister personally meets with President Trump ... to develop a personal rapport with the United States president and protect Australian industries." The industry's peak body says it will continue to work with the federal government to push for an exemption from the Trump administration. "The subsequent disruptions to global steel trade could see Australia become a dumping ground for imported steel," Australian Steel Institute chief executive Mark Cain said. "And it could exacerbate the surge in imported low-priced steel that is damaging the industry." It took Australia nine months of lobbying before it secured a tariff exemption during Mr Trump's first administration. The US imported 289 product categories in 2024, costing $US147 billion ($A229 billion), with nearly two-thirds of those aluminium and one-third steel, according to Census Bureau data from the US International Trade Commission. The 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium were among the earliest implemented following Mr Trump's return to the White House in January and came into effect in March. The latest tariff hike comes after a US federal court blocked the president's Liberation Day taxes on imported goods from going into effect. Goods from Australia are subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff, while all steel and aluminium imports to the US face 25 per cent tariffs before Mr Trump's latest announcement. The New York-based Court of International Trade found the US president had overstepped his authority by imposing the tariffs. The administration has launched an appeal, decrying "unelected judges" should not decide how to address a "national emergency". Australia will not retaliate despite Donald Trump's "wrong" tariff hike decision on steel imports. Mr Trump plans to increase tariffs on foreign steel from 25 to 50 per cent to "further secure the steel industry in the United States". The move could impact 100,000 Australian jobs, with the sector exporting more than $414 million worth of products to the US in 2024. Trade Minister Don Farrell is calling on the Trump administration to reverse the decision and drop all tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium. "This will simply push up the price for consumers in the United States and do nothing for the prosperity of both of our nations," he told reporters on Saturday. Mr Farrell said the government would work with the US but reiterate the view that tariffs were "the wrong course of action" and "don't do what President Trump claims they will do". "We don't believe that retaliation is the right way to go here," he said. "We're going to cooly and calmly argue our case for the removal of these tariffs." Opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan said Mr Trump's call was concerning for Australian jobs. "The Albanese government needs to double its efforts to protect our steel industry and local jobs for our steel workers," he said. "This is why it is imperative that the Australian prime minister personally meets with President Trump ... to develop a personal rapport with the United States president and protect Australian industries." The industry's peak body says it will continue to work with the federal government to push for an exemption from the Trump administration. "The subsequent disruptions to global steel trade could see Australia become a dumping ground for imported steel," Australian Steel Institute chief executive Mark Cain said. "And it could exacerbate the surge in imported low-priced steel that is damaging the industry." It took Australia nine months of lobbying before it secured a tariff exemption during Mr Trump's first administration. The US imported 289 product categories in 2024, costing $US147 billion ($A229 billion), with nearly two-thirds of those aluminium and one-third steel, according to Census Bureau data from the US International Trade Commission. The 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium were among the earliest implemented following Mr Trump's return to the White House in January and came into effect in March. The latest tariff hike comes after a US federal court blocked the president's Liberation Day taxes on imported goods from going into effect. Goods from Australia are subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff, while all steel and aluminium imports to the US face 25 per cent tariffs before Mr Trump's latest announcement. The New York-based Court of International Trade found the US president had overstepped his authority by imposing the tariffs. The administration has launched an appeal, decrying "unelected judges" should not decide how to address a "national emergency". Australia will not retaliate despite Donald Trump's "wrong" tariff hike decision on steel imports. Mr Trump plans to increase tariffs on foreign steel from 25 to 50 per cent to "further secure the steel industry in the United States". The move could impact 100,000 Australian jobs, with the sector exporting more than $414 million worth of products to the US in 2024. Trade Minister Don Farrell is calling on the Trump administration to reverse the decision and drop all tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium. "This will simply push up the price for consumers in the United States and do nothing for the prosperity of both of our nations," he told reporters on Saturday. Mr Farrell said the government would work with the US but reiterate the view that tariffs were "the wrong course of action" and "don't do what President Trump claims they will do". "We don't believe that retaliation is the right way to go here," he said. "We're going to cooly and calmly argue our case for the removal of these tariffs." Opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan said Mr Trump's call was concerning for Australian jobs. "The Albanese government needs to double its efforts to protect our steel industry and local jobs for our steel workers," he said. "This is why it is imperative that the Australian prime minister personally meets with President Trump ... to develop a personal rapport with the United States president and protect Australian industries." The industry's peak body says it will continue to work with the federal government to push for an exemption from the Trump administration. "The subsequent disruptions to global steel trade could see Australia become a dumping ground for imported steel," Australian Steel Institute chief executive Mark Cain said. "And it could exacerbate the surge in imported low-priced steel that is damaging the industry." It took Australia nine months of lobbying before it secured a tariff exemption during Mr Trump's first administration. The US imported 289 product categories in 2024, costing $US147 billion ($A229 billion), with nearly two-thirds of those aluminium and one-third steel, according to Census Bureau data from the US International Trade Commission. The 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium were among the earliest implemented following Mr Trump's return to the White House in January and came into effect in March. The latest tariff hike comes after a US federal court blocked the president's Liberation Day taxes on imported goods from going into effect. Goods from Australia are subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff, while all steel and aluminium imports to the US face 25 per cent tariffs before Mr Trump's latest announcement. The New York-based Court of International Trade found the US president had overstepped his authority by imposing the tariffs. The administration has launched an appeal, decrying "unelected judges" should not decide how to address a "national emergency". Australia will not retaliate despite Donald Trump's "wrong" tariff hike decision on steel imports. Mr Trump plans to increase tariffs on foreign steel from 25 to 50 per cent to "further secure the steel industry in the United States". The move could impact 100,000 Australian jobs, with the sector exporting more than $414 million worth of products to the US in 2024. Trade Minister Don Farrell is calling on the Trump administration to reverse the decision and drop all tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium. "This will simply push up the price for consumers in the United States and do nothing for the prosperity of both of our nations," he told reporters on Saturday. Mr Farrell said the government would work with the US but reiterate the view that tariffs were "the wrong course of action" and "don't do what President Trump claims they will do". "We don't believe that retaliation is the right way to go here," he said. "We're going to cooly and calmly argue our case for the removal of these tariffs." Opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan said Mr Trump's call was concerning for Australian jobs. "The Albanese government needs to double its efforts to protect our steel industry and local jobs for our steel workers," he said. "This is why it is imperative that the Australian prime minister personally meets with President Trump ... to develop a personal rapport with the United States president and protect Australian industries." The industry's peak body says it will continue to work with the federal government to push for an exemption from the Trump administration. "The subsequent disruptions to global steel trade could see Australia become a dumping ground for imported steel," Australian Steel Institute chief executive Mark Cain said. "And it could exacerbate the surge in imported low-priced steel that is damaging the industry." It took Australia nine months of lobbying before it secured a tariff exemption during Mr Trump's first administration. The US imported 289 product categories in 2024, costing $US147 billion ($A229 billion), with nearly two-thirds of those aluminium and one-third steel, according to Census Bureau data from the US International Trade Commission. The 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium were among the earliest implemented following Mr Trump's return to the White House in January and came into effect in March. The latest tariff hike comes after a US federal court blocked the president's Liberation Day taxes on imported goods from going into effect. Goods from Australia are subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff, while all steel and aluminium imports to the US face 25 per cent tariffs before Mr Trump's latest announcement. The New York-based Court of International Trade found the US president had overstepped his authority by imposing the tariffs. The administration has launched an appeal, decrying "unelected judges" should not decide how to address a "national emergency".
The Advertiser
30 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Hamas seeks amendments to US ceasefire proposal
Hamas has responded to the latest US ceasefire proposal for Gaza, and a senior official with the group says they are seeking some changes, as desperation rises inside Gaza from the aid blockade. Israeli officials have approved the US proposal for a temporary ceasefire in the nearly 20-month war. US President Donald Trump has said negotiators were nearing a deal. "There are some notes and amendments to some points, especially on the US guarantees, the timing of hostage release, the delivery of aid and the withdrawal of Israeli forces," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks. A separate Hamas statement said the proposal aims for a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an ensured flow of aid. It said 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others would be released " in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners". A ceasefire would pause the fighting for 60 days, release some of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and much-needed food aid and other assistance, according to Hamas and Egyptian officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to the media. As hopes for a ceasefire ramp up, desperation rises inside Gaza. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip blocked and offloaded dozens of food trucks, the UN World Food Program says, as desperation mounts following Israel's months-long aid blockade while talks of a ceasefire inch forward. The World Food Program said 77 trucks carrying aid, mostly flour, were stopped by hungry people who took the food before the trucks could reach their destination. The nearly three-month Israeli aid blockade on Gaza has pushed the population of over two million to the brink of famine. The World Food Program said the fear of starvation in Gaza is high despite the aid that's entering now. "We need to flood communities with food for the next few days to calm anxieties and rebuild the trust with communities that more food is coming," it said in a statement, adding that it has over 140,000 metric tons of food, enough to feed Gazans for two months, ready to be brought in. Most people carried bags of flour. He said at one point a forklift was used to offload pallets. The UN says it has been unable to get enough aid in because of fighting. A new US and Israeli-backed foundation started operations in Gaza this week, distributing food at several sites in a chaotic rollout. Israel says the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation eventually will replace the aid operation that the UN and others have carried out during nearly 20 months of war. It says the new mechanism is necessary, accusing Hamas of siphoning off large amounts of aid. The UN denies that a significant diversion takes place. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation works with armed contractors, which it says are needed to distribute food safely. Aid groups have accused the foundation of militarising aid. Israel continued its military campaign across Gaza, saying it struck dozens of targets over the past day. Gaza's Health Ministry said at least 60 people were killed by Israeli strikes in the past 24 hours. The war began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1200 people, most of them civilians, and taking 250 hostages. Of those taken captive, 58 remain in Gaza. Israel believes 35 are dead and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there are doubts about the fate of several others. Israeli strikes have killed more than 54,000 Gaza residents, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its tally. Hamas has responded to the latest US ceasefire proposal for Gaza, and a senior official with the group says they are seeking some changes, as desperation rises inside Gaza from the aid blockade. Israeli officials have approved the US proposal for a temporary ceasefire in the nearly 20-month war. US President Donald Trump has said negotiators were nearing a deal. "There are some notes and amendments to some points, especially on the US guarantees, the timing of hostage release, the delivery of aid and the withdrawal of Israeli forces," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks. A separate Hamas statement said the proposal aims for a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an ensured flow of aid. It said 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others would be released " in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners". A ceasefire would pause the fighting for 60 days, release some of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and much-needed food aid and other assistance, according to Hamas and Egyptian officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to the media. As hopes for a ceasefire ramp up, desperation rises inside Gaza. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip blocked and offloaded dozens of food trucks, the UN World Food Program says, as desperation mounts following Israel's months-long aid blockade while talks of a ceasefire inch forward. The World Food Program said 77 trucks carrying aid, mostly flour, were stopped by hungry people who took the food before the trucks could reach their destination. The nearly three-month Israeli aid blockade on Gaza has pushed the population of over two million to the brink of famine. The World Food Program said the fear of starvation in Gaza is high despite the aid that's entering now. "We need to flood communities with food for the next few days to calm anxieties and rebuild the trust with communities that more food is coming," it said in a statement, adding that it has over 140,000 metric tons of food, enough to feed Gazans for two months, ready to be brought in. Most people carried bags of flour. He said at one point a forklift was used to offload pallets. The UN says it has been unable to get enough aid in because of fighting. A new US and Israeli-backed foundation started operations in Gaza this week, distributing food at several sites in a chaotic rollout. Israel says the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation eventually will replace the aid operation that the UN and others have carried out during nearly 20 months of war. It says the new mechanism is necessary, accusing Hamas of siphoning off large amounts of aid. The UN denies that a significant diversion takes place. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation works with armed contractors, which it says are needed to distribute food safely. Aid groups have accused the foundation of militarising aid. Israel continued its military campaign across Gaza, saying it struck dozens of targets over the past day. Gaza's Health Ministry said at least 60 people were killed by Israeli strikes in the past 24 hours. The war began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1200 people, most of them civilians, and taking 250 hostages. Of those taken captive, 58 remain in Gaza. Israel believes 35 are dead and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there are doubts about the fate of several others. Israeli strikes have killed more than 54,000 Gaza residents, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its tally. Hamas has responded to the latest US ceasefire proposal for Gaza, and a senior official with the group says they are seeking some changes, as desperation rises inside Gaza from the aid blockade. Israeli officials have approved the US proposal for a temporary ceasefire in the nearly 20-month war. US President Donald Trump has said negotiators were nearing a deal. "There are some notes and amendments to some points, especially on the US guarantees, the timing of hostage release, the delivery of aid and the withdrawal of Israeli forces," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks. A separate Hamas statement said the proposal aims for a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an ensured flow of aid. It said 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others would be released " in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners". A ceasefire would pause the fighting for 60 days, release some of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and much-needed food aid and other assistance, according to Hamas and Egyptian officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to the media. As hopes for a ceasefire ramp up, desperation rises inside Gaza. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip blocked and offloaded dozens of food trucks, the UN World Food Program says, as desperation mounts following Israel's months-long aid blockade while talks of a ceasefire inch forward. The World Food Program said 77 trucks carrying aid, mostly flour, were stopped by hungry people who took the food before the trucks could reach their destination. The nearly three-month Israeli aid blockade on Gaza has pushed the population of over two million to the brink of famine. The World Food Program said the fear of starvation in Gaza is high despite the aid that's entering now. "We need to flood communities with food for the next few days to calm anxieties and rebuild the trust with communities that more food is coming," it said in a statement, adding that it has over 140,000 metric tons of food, enough to feed Gazans for two months, ready to be brought in. Most people carried bags of flour. He said at one point a forklift was used to offload pallets. The UN says it has been unable to get enough aid in because of fighting. A new US and Israeli-backed foundation started operations in Gaza this week, distributing food at several sites in a chaotic rollout. Israel says the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation eventually will replace the aid operation that the UN and others have carried out during nearly 20 months of war. It says the new mechanism is necessary, accusing Hamas of siphoning off large amounts of aid. The UN denies that a significant diversion takes place. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation works with armed contractors, which it says are needed to distribute food safely. Aid groups have accused the foundation of militarising aid. Israel continued its military campaign across Gaza, saying it struck dozens of targets over the past day. Gaza's Health Ministry said at least 60 people were killed by Israeli strikes in the past 24 hours. The war began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1200 people, most of them civilians, and taking 250 hostages. Of those taken captive, 58 remain in Gaza. Israel believes 35 are dead and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there are doubts about the fate of several others. Israeli strikes have killed more than 54,000 Gaza residents, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its tally. Hamas has responded to the latest US ceasefire proposal for Gaza, and a senior official with the group says they are seeking some changes, as desperation rises inside Gaza from the aid blockade. Israeli officials have approved the US proposal for a temporary ceasefire in the nearly 20-month war. US President Donald Trump has said negotiators were nearing a deal. "There are some notes and amendments to some points, especially on the US guarantees, the timing of hostage release, the delivery of aid and the withdrawal of Israeli forces," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks. A separate Hamas statement said the proposal aims for a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an ensured flow of aid. It said 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others would be released " in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners". A ceasefire would pause the fighting for 60 days, release some of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and much-needed food aid and other assistance, according to Hamas and Egyptian officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to the media. As hopes for a ceasefire ramp up, desperation rises inside Gaza. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip blocked and offloaded dozens of food trucks, the UN World Food Program says, as desperation mounts following Israel's months-long aid blockade while talks of a ceasefire inch forward. The World Food Program said 77 trucks carrying aid, mostly flour, were stopped by hungry people who took the food before the trucks could reach their destination. The nearly three-month Israeli aid blockade on Gaza has pushed the population of over two million to the brink of famine. The World Food Program said the fear of starvation in Gaza is high despite the aid that's entering now. "We need to flood communities with food for the next few days to calm anxieties and rebuild the trust with communities that more food is coming," it said in a statement, adding that it has over 140,000 metric tons of food, enough to feed Gazans for two months, ready to be brought in. Most people carried bags of flour. He said at one point a forklift was used to offload pallets. The UN says it has been unable to get enough aid in because of fighting. A new US and Israeli-backed foundation started operations in Gaza this week, distributing food at several sites in a chaotic rollout. Israel says the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation eventually will replace the aid operation that the UN and others have carried out during nearly 20 months of war. It says the new mechanism is necessary, accusing Hamas of siphoning off large amounts of aid. The UN denies that a significant diversion takes place. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation works with armed contractors, which it says are needed to distribute food safely. Aid groups have accused the foundation of militarising aid. Israel continued its military campaign across Gaza, saying it struck dozens of targets over the past day. Gaza's Health Ministry said at least 60 people were killed by Israeli strikes in the past 24 hours. The war began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1200 people, most of them civilians, and taking 250 hostages. Of those taken captive, 58 remain in Gaza. Israel believes 35 are dead and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there are doubts about the fate of several others. Israeli strikes have killed more than 54,000 Gaza residents, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its tally.
The Advertiser
31 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Bad hair day: US tariffs hit black women's braids, wigs
Before the oppressive summer heat descends on Atlanta, therapist Brittanee Sims usually gets her thick, curly hair braided at a salon. But it's more expensive this year. So she'll only pay for her teenage daughter and son to get their summer hairdos. Now, she said, she has to "go home and figure out what I'm gonna do to my hair in the morning, after I went to the gym and it's messed up with sweating and frizz". President Donald Trump's tariffs are driving up prices for products many black women consider essential, squeezing shoppers and stylists even more as they grapple with inflation and higher rents. Much of the synthetic braiding hair, human hair for extensions, wigs and weaves, styling tools, braiding gel and other products are imported from China, which was subject to a combined 145 per cent tariff in April. Many black women have hair types and workplace-favoured styles that require careful attention, and they can spend hundreds of dollars at salons each month on extensions, weaves, wigs and braids. On Thursday, a federal appeals court reinstated most of Trump's tariffs on imported goods after they were blocked the day before by a three-judge panel of the US Court of International Trade. Earlier this month, the United States agreed to drop the 145 per cent tax on goods imported from China to 30 per cent while the two economic superpowers negotiate new trade agreements. Imports from most other countries face baseline tariff rates at 10 per cent. Regardless, the next few months "are already shot" for many items, said Marty Parker, a University of Georgia business professor and supply chain expert who worked in the hair care industry. The costs companies have been facing at ports are making their way down to consumers, supply shortages are getting worse, and it's unclear what will happen if negotiations break down. "Prices go up very fast and come down very slow," Parker said. Some stylists said they're seeing fewer clients because prices are going up for virtually everything. Atlanta stylists are paying more for hair from China. Atlanta stylist Yana Ellis, who also sells products like wigs, paid an extra $US245 ($A381) in shipping for 52 bundles of hair in March compared to 40 bundles in December. AaNiyah Butler said her shipping costs for human hair more than doubled from February to May. And Dajiah Blackshear found in early May that a beauty supply store raised the cost of the kind of hair she's used for years by $US100 ($A155). The store owner said he may have to stop selling that brand of hair because it went up so much. Similarly, some wholesale hair stores have seen higher costs or are expecting them in the coming weeks. Even the typical $US6 ($A9.3) to $US10 ($A16) cost of a pack of synthetic hair has crept up. Blackshear doesn't want clients to bring hair because she likes to vet the quality. But if expenses continue to mount, she may have to raise her prices. "It's going to be extremely difficult," she said, especially for clients who are "having to make those hard decisions, between 'do I get my hair done or do I pay my bills?'" Janice Lowe, who runs 5 Starr Salon in a lower-income neighbourhood southeast of Atlanta, has started asking clients to bring hair and is unable to purchase certain products. "I'm falling behind on my obligations," she said. Consultants vary on how much prices will rise, when they'll go up and for how long — and the full harm to stylists and consumers could be months away. The global black hair care industry was worth about $US3.2 billion ($A5.0 billion) in 2023, according to and black women spend six times more on hair care than other ethnicities. Stylists often purchase some harder-to-get professional products from door-to-door distributors that buy from wholesale companies or larger distributors that purchase directly from other countries. Lowe has seen some of her distributors vanish altogether, making it harder to get professional lines such as black-owned leading professional hair care brand Design Essentials, manufactured in Atlanta at McBride Research Laboratories. Design Essentials is trying to delay big price increases until 2026 or 2027, and may turn to layoffs or pause promotions to save money, said president Cornell McBride Jr. "Nobody wants to put it to the consumer but the person who pays is the consumer in the end," McBride Jr. said. Hawa Keita and her mother usually charge customers between $US160 ($A249) and $US250 ($A389) for braiding at their shop, Eve's African Hair Braiding in College Park southwest of Atlanta. Keita is determined to take losses because their customers "can't afford the Atlanta prices," Keita said. The cost of a box of 100 packs of braiding hair from China went up for the first time in two years, from $US250 ($A389) to $US300 ($A466), Keita said. They order weekly, often multiple boxes. Some companies say they'll soon raise prices or run out of stock. Making customers happy is ultimately what will keep the business afloat, Keita said. She smiled as she recounted braiding a young woman's hair for her birthday with a style she suggested. "When we finished, she gave me the biggest hug, and she was in here screaming and just yelling because she just really loved her hair," Keita said. Before the oppressive summer heat descends on Atlanta, therapist Brittanee Sims usually gets her thick, curly hair braided at a salon. But it's more expensive this year. So she'll only pay for her teenage daughter and son to get their summer hairdos. Now, she said, she has to "go home and figure out what I'm gonna do to my hair in the morning, after I went to the gym and it's messed up with sweating and frizz". President Donald Trump's tariffs are driving up prices for products many black women consider essential, squeezing shoppers and stylists even more as they grapple with inflation and higher rents. Much of the synthetic braiding hair, human hair for extensions, wigs and weaves, styling tools, braiding gel and other products are imported from China, which was subject to a combined 145 per cent tariff in April. Many black women have hair types and workplace-favoured styles that require careful attention, and they can spend hundreds of dollars at salons each month on extensions, weaves, wigs and braids. On Thursday, a federal appeals court reinstated most of Trump's tariffs on imported goods after they were blocked the day before by a three-judge panel of the US Court of International Trade. Earlier this month, the United States agreed to drop the 145 per cent tax on goods imported from China to 30 per cent while the two economic superpowers negotiate new trade agreements. Imports from most other countries face baseline tariff rates at 10 per cent. Regardless, the next few months "are already shot" for many items, said Marty Parker, a University of Georgia business professor and supply chain expert who worked in the hair care industry. The costs companies have been facing at ports are making their way down to consumers, supply shortages are getting worse, and it's unclear what will happen if negotiations break down. "Prices go up very fast and come down very slow," Parker said. Some stylists said they're seeing fewer clients because prices are going up for virtually everything. Atlanta stylists are paying more for hair from China. Atlanta stylist Yana Ellis, who also sells products like wigs, paid an extra $US245 ($A381) in shipping for 52 bundles of hair in March compared to 40 bundles in December. AaNiyah Butler said her shipping costs for human hair more than doubled from February to May. And Dajiah Blackshear found in early May that a beauty supply store raised the cost of the kind of hair she's used for years by $US100 ($A155). The store owner said he may have to stop selling that brand of hair because it went up so much. Similarly, some wholesale hair stores have seen higher costs or are expecting them in the coming weeks. Even the typical $US6 ($A9.3) to $US10 ($A16) cost of a pack of synthetic hair has crept up. Blackshear doesn't want clients to bring hair because she likes to vet the quality. But if expenses continue to mount, she may have to raise her prices. "It's going to be extremely difficult," she said, especially for clients who are "having to make those hard decisions, between 'do I get my hair done or do I pay my bills?'" Janice Lowe, who runs 5 Starr Salon in a lower-income neighbourhood southeast of Atlanta, has started asking clients to bring hair and is unable to purchase certain products. "I'm falling behind on my obligations," she said. Consultants vary on how much prices will rise, when they'll go up and for how long — and the full harm to stylists and consumers could be months away. The global black hair care industry was worth about $US3.2 billion ($A5.0 billion) in 2023, according to and black women spend six times more on hair care than other ethnicities. Stylists often purchase some harder-to-get professional products from door-to-door distributors that buy from wholesale companies or larger distributors that purchase directly from other countries. Lowe has seen some of her distributors vanish altogether, making it harder to get professional lines such as black-owned leading professional hair care brand Design Essentials, manufactured in Atlanta at McBride Research Laboratories. Design Essentials is trying to delay big price increases until 2026 or 2027, and may turn to layoffs or pause promotions to save money, said president Cornell McBride Jr. "Nobody wants to put it to the consumer but the person who pays is the consumer in the end," McBride Jr. said. Hawa Keita and her mother usually charge customers between $US160 ($A249) and $US250 ($A389) for braiding at their shop, Eve's African Hair Braiding in College Park southwest of Atlanta. Keita is determined to take losses because their customers "can't afford the Atlanta prices," Keita said. The cost of a box of 100 packs of braiding hair from China went up for the first time in two years, from $US250 ($A389) to $US300 ($A466), Keita said. They order weekly, often multiple boxes. Some companies say they'll soon raise prices or run out of stock. Making customers happy is ultimately what will keep the business afloat, Keita said. She smiled as she recounted braiding a young woman's hair for her birthday with a style she suggested. "When we finished, she gave me the biggest hug, and she was in here screaming and just yelling because she just really loved her hair," Keita said. Before the oppressive summer heat descends on Atlanta, therapist Brittanee Sims usually gets her thick, curly hair braided at a salon. But it's more expensive this year. So she'll only pay for her teenage daughter and son to get their summer hairdos. Now, she said, she has to "go home and figure out what I'm gonna do to my hair in the morning, after I went to the gym and it's messed up with sweating and frizz". President Donald Trump's tariffs are driving up prices for products many black women consider essential, squeezing shoppers and stylists even more as they grapple with inflation and higher rents. Much of the synthetic braiding hair, human hair for extensions, wigs and weaves, styling tools, braiding gel and other products are imported from China, which was subject to a combined 145 per cent tariff in April. Many black women have hair types and workplace-favoured styles that require careful attention, and they can spend hundreds of dollars at salons each month on extensions, weaves, wigs and braids. On Thursday, a federal appeals court reinstated most of Trump's tariffs on imported goods after they were blocked the day before by a three-judge panel of the US Court of International Trade. Earlier this month, the United States agreed to drop the 145 per cent tax on goods imported from China to 30 per cent while the two economic superpowers negotiate new trade agreements. Imports from most other countries face baseline tariff rates at 10 per cent. Regardless, the next few months "are already shot" for many items, said Marty Parker, a University of Georgia business professor and supply chain expert who worked in the hair care industry. The costs companies have been facing at ports are making their way down to consumers, supply shortages are getting worse, and it's unclear what will happen if negotiations break down. "Prices go up very fast and come down very slow," Parker said. Some stylists said they're seeing fewer clients because prices are going up for virtually everything. Atlanta stylists are paying more for hair from China. Atlanta stylist Yana Ellis, who also sells products like wigs, paid an extra $US245 ($A381) in shipping for 52 bundles of hair in March compared to 40 bundles in December. AaNiyah Butler said her shipping costs for human hair more than doubled from February to May. And Dajiah Blackshear found in early May that a beauty supply store raised the cost of the kind of hair she's used for years by $US100 ($A155). The store owner said he may have to stop selling that brand of hair because it went up so much. Similarly, some wholesale hair stores have seen higher costs or are expecting them in the coming weeks. Even the typical $US6 ($A9.3) to $US10 ($A16) cost of a pack of synthetic hair has crept up. Blackshear doesn't want clients to bring hair because she likes to vet the quality. But if expenses continue to mount, she may have to raise her prices. "It's going to be extremely difficult," she said, especially for clients who are "having to make those hard decisions, between 'do I get my hair done or do I pay my bills?'" Janice Lowe, who runs 5 Starr Salon in a lower-income neighbourhood southeast of Atlanta, has started asking clients to bring hair and is unable to purchase certain products. "I'm falling behind on my obligations," she said. Consultants vary on how much prices will rise, when they'll go up and for how long — and the full harm to stylists and consumers could be months away. The global black hair care industry was worth about $US3.2 billion ($A5.0 billion) in 2023, according to and black women spend six times more on hair care than other ethnicities. Stylists often purchase some harder-to-get professional products from door-to-door distributors that buy from wholesale companies or larger distributors that purchase directly from other countries. Lowe has seen some of her distributors vanish altogether, making it harder to get professional lines such as black-owned leading professional hair care brand Design Essentials, manufactured in Atlanta at McBride Research Laboratories. Design Essentials is trying to delay big price increases until 2026 or 2027, and may turn to layoffs or pause promotions to save money, said president Cornell McBride Jr. "Nobody wants to put it to the consumer but the person who pays is the consumer in the end," McBride Jr. said. Hawa Keita and her mother usually charge customers between $US160 ($A249) and $US250 ($A389) for braiding at their shop, Eve's African Hair Braiding in College Park southwest of Atlanta. Keita is determined to take losses because their customers "can't afford the Atlanta prices," Keita said. The cost of a box of 100 packs of braiding hair from China went up for the first time in two years, from $US250 ($A389) to $US300 ($A466), Keita said. They order weekly, often multiple boxes. Some companies say they'll soon raise prices or run out of stock. Making customers happy is ultimately what will keep the business afloat, Keita said. She smiled as she recounted braiding a young woman's hair for her birthday with a style she suggested. "When we finished, she gave me the biggest hug, and she was in here screaming and just yelling because she just really loved her hair," Keita said. Before the oppressive summer heat descends on Atlanta, therapist Brittanee Sims usually gets her thick, curly hair braided at a salon. But it's more expensive this year. So she'll only pay for her teenage daughter and son to get their summer hairdos. Now, she said, she has to "go home and figure out what I'm gonna do to my hair in the morning, after I went to the gym and it's messed up with sweating and frizz". President Donald Trump's tariffs are driving up prices for products many black women consider essential, squeezing shoppers and stylists even more as they grapple with inflation and higher rents. Much of the synthetic braiding hair, human hair for extensions, wigs and weaves, styling tools, braiding gel and other products are imported from China, which was subject to a combined 145 per cent tariff in April. Many black women have hair types and workplace-favoured styles that require careful attention, and they can spend hundreds of dollars at salons each month on extensions, weaves, wigs and braids. On Thursday, a federal appeals court reinstated most of Trump's tariffs on imported goods after they were blocked the day before by a three-judge panel of the US Court of International Trade. Earlier this month, the United States agreed to drop the 145 per cent tax on goods imported from China to 30 per cent while the two economic superpowers negotiate new trade agreements. Imports from most other countries face baseline tariff rates at 10 per cent. Regardless, the next few months "are already shot" for many items, said Marty Parker, a University of Georgia business professor and supply chain expert who worked in the hair care industry. The costs companies have been facing at ports are making their way down to consumers, supply shortages are getting worse, and it's unclear what will happen if negotiations break down. "Prices go up very fast and come down very slow," Parker said. Some stylists said they're seeing fewer clients because prices are going up for virtually everything. Atlanta stylists are paying more for hair from China. Atlanta stylist Yana Ellis, who also sells products like wigs, paid an extra $US245 ($A381) in shipping for 52 bundles of hair in March compared to 40 bundles in December. AaNiyah Butler said her shipping costs for human hair more than doubled from February to May. And Dajiah Blackshear found in early May that a beauty supply store raised the cost of the kind of hair she's used for years by $US100 ($A155). The store owner said he may have to stop selling that brand of hair because it went up so much. Similarly, some wholesale hair stores have seen higher costs or are expecting them in the coming weeks. Even the typical $US6 ($A9.3) to $US10 ($A16) cost of a pack of synthetic hair has crept up. Blackshear doesn't want clients to bring hair because she likes to vet the quality. But if expenses continue to mount, she may have to raise her prices. "It's going to be extremely difficult," she said, especially for clients who are "having to make those hard decisions, between 'do I get my hair done or do I pay my bills?'" Janice Lowe, who runs 5 Starr Salon in a lower-income neighbourhood southeast of Atlanta, has started asking clients to bring hair and is unable to purchase certain products. "I'm falling behind on my obligations," she said. Consultants vary on how much prices will rise, when they'll go up and for how long — and the full harm to stylists and consumers could be months away. The global black hair care industry was worth about $US3.2 billion ($A5.0 billion) in 2023, according to and black women spend six times more on hair care than other ethnicities. Stylists often purchase some harder-to-get professional products from door-to-door distributors that buy from wholesale companies or larger distributors that purchase directly from other countries. Lowe has seen some of her distributors vanish altogether, making it harder to get professional lines such as black-owned leading professional hair care brand Design Essentials, manufactured in Atlanta at McBride Research Laboratories. Design Essentials is trying to delay big price increases until 2026 or 2027, and may turn to layoffs or pause promotions to save money, said president Cornell McBride Jr. "Nobody wants to put it to the consumer but the person who pays is the consumer in the end," McBride Jr. said. Hawa Keita and her mother usually charge customers between $US160 ($A249) and $US250 ($A389) for braiding at their shop, Eve's African Hair Braiding in College Park southwest of Atlanta. Keita is determined to take losses because their customers "can't afford the Atlanta prices," Keita said. The cost of a box of 100 packs of braiding hair from China went up for the first time in two years, from $US250 ($A389) to $US300 ($A466), Keita said. They order weekly, often multiple boxes. Some companies say they'll soon raise prices or run out of stock. Making customers happy is ultimately what will keep the business afloat, Keita said. She smiled as she recounted braiding a young woman's hair for her birthday with a style she suggested. "When we finished, she gave me the biggest hug, and she was in here screaming and just yelling because she just really loved her hair," Keita said.
