Trump’s tariffs fray Morningside fabric store
Pittsburgh's Public Source••business
Key Points:
- Erin Love, owner of Firecracker Fabrics in Pittsburgh, describes the severe impact of punitive tariffs on her small fabric business, including a recent 50% tariff bill on a shipment from India placed months before the tariff was implemented.
- Tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have increased costs unpredictably and significantly for small retailers, creating uncertainty and squeezing already thin profit margins, often forcing owners to absorb costs without raising prices.
- Small businesses like Love’s face challenges sourcing fabric due to high tariffs, long lead times, and minimum order requirements, which limit inventory choices and threaten the viability of diverse product offerings.
- Contrary to political claims, tariffs are paid by American importers and consumers, not foreign governments, resulting in higher prices and
