10-04-2025
How will Trump's tariffs affect Miami Valley consumers, businesses?
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — With retaliatory tariffs from China and the EU in the works, local experts say we could start feeling the effects across various industries here in the Miami Valley.
While the first thing that comes to mind when many people think of tariffs is higher prices, experts warn that local businesses and consumers could be looking at a whole list of challenges ahead.
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The Dayton Chamber of Commerce told 2 NEWS that local businesses have been reaching out to their organization, worried about their futures, especially in sectors like manufacturing, hospitality and retail.
It's not just businesses — 2 NEWS spoke with consumers who feel like a recession may be on the horizon with all of these tariffs in play. Many are worried about what they could soon be paying for everyday items.
With countries across the world hitting back with their own tariffs, experts say it's going to make trade a lot harder, especially since China is one of America's biggest trade partners.
'It's just sort of an escalation of commitment where there are no winners, because the losers are the consumers. We all buy things. So it's really something that's going to negatively impact everybody,' said Riley Dugan, head of the Management and Marketing Department at University of Dayton.
The Trump administration says tariffs will help rebuild the economy, promote fair trade and protect American jobs by boosting 'Made in America' products.
In some instances, tariffs could be beneficial. Stephanie Keinath with the Dayton Chamber of Commerce says the steel industry often talks about how costly American steel is compared to global options.
'So some of these tariffs level the playing field for some of those products,' said Keinath. 'There could potentially be opportunities that open up for American companies where they may have contracts with a global supplier, and they may then want to switch to an American supplier.'
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But for local businesses, the quick pivot to all American products presents real challenges.
'That could mean potential delays, potential supply chain interruptions as businesses try to find other ways of identifying those parts they need for machines, those parts they need to manufacture goods from other places,' said Keinath.
Experts say consumers won't see the impact of these tariffs all at once — it will be more gradual. And while the tariffs aim to create more American jobs, experts warn it will get a lot worse before it gets better.
'When we talk about onshoring a lot of these manufacturing jobs, it's really going to take a few years,' said Dugan. 'And we're going to be suffering through a recession most likely, if these tariffs are in place for that period of time, to when we can get those manufacturing jobs back in place.'
Experts say this time brings a lot of uncertainty and the best thing to do is ask questions. The Dayton Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a tariff education seminar later this month. to learn more.
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