New Jersey Businesses Face Challenges Amid Trump Tariff Policies
Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli has expressed support for President Donald Trump’s tariff strategy, despite its current adverse effects on local businesses in New Jersey.
In an interview on March 4, Ciattarelli described Trump’s tariffs as a “grand experiment” aimed at correcting international trade imbalances, suggesting they might help the U.S. hold foreign trading partners accountable.
“The president has told us that there’s going to be some pain, but he’s also told us that we’re not going to be pushed around … [and] not going to be exploited by foreign countries that don’t follow the rules and take advantage of our consumer markets,” Ciattarelli remarked. “We’re just going to buckle up and see how things go.”
Shortly thereafter, the Associated Press reported on issues faced by Fishtown, a seafood supplier based in Haddonfield, as threats of tariffs on Canadian goods caused uncertainty in oyster pricing.
Fishtown owner Bryan Szeliga expressed concern over the tariffs, stating, “I’m a smaller business, and I’m not really staffed, equipped, and knowledgeable enough to know how to navigate tariffs. It is very hard to have that level of uncertainty. Are the tariffs going to be in play, or are they not?”
Szeliga mentioned possibly offering lower-quality oysters to circumvent the challenges. He even absorbed the cost of tariffs on Canadian oysters to avoid transferring the expense to his customers.
Other businesses in New Jersey anticipate price increases due to tariffs. A car dealership in Mendham predicts a $10,000 to $20,000 increase in vehicle prices due to tariffs on cars and parts. Additionally, several liquor stores are preparing for price hikes on European wines and are actively increasing their stock before the tariffs take effect.
David Moore, co-founder of Moore Brothers Wine Company in Pennsauken, informed WPVI News, “We don’t know what to expect, except we are doing everything we can to bring in enough wine to make sure at least in the short term we’re protected.”
Despite the challenges, Ciattarelli’s campaign emphasizes “making New Jersey affordable” as a primary goal, and he frequently advocates for small businesses on social media.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” Ciattarelli posted on April 26. “They create jobs, bring people together, and give our neighborhoods their unique character.”
The threat of retaliatory tariffs from trading partners, such as China and Mexico, could further impact New Jersey businesses. China has already implemented a 125% tariff on American goods in response to the 145% tariff imposed by Trump.
The Ciattarelli campaign did not respond immediately to requests for comment on these developments.
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