Latest news with #BlindTigerCoffeeRoasters
Axios
16-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Coffee, tea prices in Tampa Bay could soon climb from tariffs
Your next cup of coffee may cost a latte as Tampa Bay roasters brace for increased importing costs from U.S. tariffs. Why it matters: Coffee prices hit a 50-year high last year, and the U.S. market is especially vulnerable to tariffs because it relies on foreign countries for 99% of its coffee supply. The latest: President Trump issued a 90-day pause last week on some tariffs, but a universal 10% tariff remains in effect for all foreign goods, while at least a 145% upcharge is now in effect for Chinese imports. What we're hearing: Tampa-based Blind Tiger Coffee Roasters owner Roberto Torres called the tariffs "an arbitrary tax that, unfortunately, doesn't allow us to manage our costs effectively." Blind Tiger sources its raw beans from Brazil, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Honduras, Peru and Panama, all of which are now subject to a 10% tariff. It also sources from Mexico, where raw beans are exempt. Torres tells Axios that, between the tariffs and the already surging coffee prices, he'll need to raise prices. "Every single cost we pass down because of raised tariffs — it's not because we're being greedy or trying to make more profit. It's not going toward better furniture, better equipment, or higher wages." The big picture: Coffee won't be the only drink affected. Abigail StClair, owner of TeBella Tea Co., says that with half of the world's tea coming from China and the lack of a sizable domestic market, she will also need to raise prices. "Our strategy at this point will be to just ask forgiveness from our customers and to educate them on how our costs on these particular items have gone up so significantly," she tells Axios. In addition to China, TeBella sources its tea from Japan, Sri Lanka, India, Taiwan and several other countries.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bay Area small businesses feel the squeeze of President Trump's tariffs
The Brief Bay Area small businesses took part in a roundtable discussion with Rep. Kathy Castor to discuss the impact of tariffs. Small businesses are facing increasingly high import prices since the tariffs were implemented. Many say the products they need are more expensive or are unavailable in the U.S. YBOR CITY, Fla. - A group of Tampa Baysmall business owners gathered in Ybor City on Monday to discuss the impacts they're experiencing following the Trump Administration's sweeping tariffs. U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-Tampa) hosted the roundtable discussion at Blind Tiger Coffee Roasters on East 7th Avenue. "We want to know what the strategy is from the President of the United States. So far, it's been chaos and confusion," said Castor. Local perspective Among the business owners who joined Castor was Stephanie Swain, who owns Allen Shuffleboard in Seminole. They sell shuffleboard parts and equipment. RELATED: How much will China's tariffs cost consumers? Swain said her supplier is based in China, the one country not included in President Trump's 90-day pause on the tariffs he announced last week. "I have one order that cost me $12,000 in materials. I still have to pay for shipping, and now with the tariffs, it's going to be almost $30,000 by the time it gets here," Swain said, adding she had to put that order on hold. What they're saying Swain said she wants to buy materials from an American supplier, but it's too expensive. Some of the supplies she needs are no longer made in the U.S. "A lot of times, we can't afford to buy it at a price point that our customers can afford to pay for it," Swain said. "We've been trying to shift things into the U.S. for manufacturing, but not everything we've been able to." "We're not raising prices to make more money. We're actually raising prices just to stay in business," added Roberto Torres, who owns Blind Tiger and said he imports coffee beans from Central and South America. RELATED: Smartphones, laptops excluded from latest tariffs He added that coffee beans must be brought in from other countries because they aren't produced in the U.S. "We're not here to make it political about one extreme or the other. We're just here to highlight what the unintended consequences are," Torres said. Big picture view The president, meanwhile, has said he believes the tariffs are a way to force other countries to negotiate better trade deals with the U.S. "When the United States is punched, we will punch back harder," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said last week. "He hopes to make a deal that benefits the American worker and our companies that have been ripped off for far too long." The Source FOX 13's Aaron Mesmer collected the information in this story. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS LIVE: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
