Trump Tariffs Impacting Small Business Owners
Margaret Chadbourn Updated: Oct 31, 2026 / 01:07 PM CDT
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (NEXSTAR) — President Trump asserts that his tariffs are boosting the American economy, but small businesses are feeling the pinch in various ways. From increased prices to reduced product availability, a Virginia butcher shop is adapting to these changes.
Ben Knezic, owner of The Cut Butchery in Alexandria, Virginia—a Washington suburb—offers a diverse range of products, from fresh meats and seafood to imported wines, cheeses, and specialty foods. Trump’s tariffs, Knezic explains, have led to significant price increases for many of these items.
"Just seeing prices on our goods go up and up,” said Knezic. “We’ve had to raise prices on a lot of things like cheese and wine and some of the other stuff we import."
The shop, which opened last year, is already reassessing its product offerings. Some imported wines are now 10% more expensive, with those costs passed on to customers. Certain cheeses, Knezic notes, are no longer stocked due to the tariffs.
"There are certain cheeses that were already very expensive and with the tariffs now, it just doesn’t make sense to sell."
President Trump defends his tariff policies, claiming they have brought trillions of dollars into the U.S. and spurred manufacturing growth. He argues, "They don’t cause inflation. They cause success. They cause growth."
However, the impact on small businesses is complex. Importers bear the cost of tariffs on goods imported into the U.S., which can then be passed on to businesses and consumers. In some cases, products are no longer even entering the country.
Knezic explains that importers have stopped bringing in certain Canadian cheeses due to reduced demand caused by higher prices. The shop is seeking alternatives and is particularly vigilant about the changing trade policies as the holiday season approaches.
"Yeah, we just had to adjust and, you know, be flexible and find other products or alternatives. We’ve been able to make it work."
Business owners across the nation are also grappling with fuel surcharges amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. The White House maintains that high fuel prices are temporary.