Wasserman Schultz Gathers Small Business Owners to Discuss Impact of Trump Tariffs

Ft Lauderdale, FL - Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) convened local small business owners to discuss how their companies and customers are impacted by high costs of materials and production because of tariffs levied by the Trump administration.

To watch the press conference, click here and here. For B-Roll, click here.

President Trump has quickly spiraled the American economy into recession by unilaterally starting a trade war with the rest of the world. Small businesses are disproportionately affected, operating on thinner margins and less likely to be able to navigate complex and onerous "reciprocal" tariffs with our largest trading partners.

"We need to make life easier for the folks brave enough to be their own boss and keep our economy running," said Wasserman Schultz. "These are the folks who put our local values into the Florida economy, and I'll do all I can to support them and save them from being crushed by Republicans' massive tariffs."

"Mi producto principal es mantequilla que trago de Francia... Yo pagaba como 83, 90 dolares una caja, hoy estoy pagando 213 dolares una caja," said Owner of Lady Baker and LB Eatery Paula Marsola, "Entonces es muy dificil continuar un business cuando los principales productos tienen precios más altos."

"We represent 121,000 jobs in this county alone and $9.98 billion, but that can all go away," said President and CEO of Wards Marine Electric Kristina Hebert, "Boats have choices - where they want to go, where they want to receive their services and we need to keep those coming here. There's a domino effect of all of that economic impact."

"One does not just suddenly open a factory in the US and start making this specialized product here, like 'poof.' But it was like 'poof' that I suddenly began getting hit with the tariffs," said Owner of VB Hose Clamps Valerie Bressler, "It has been about 4.5% of my annual revenues for the past year. For a small, sole proprietorship, that's kind of a lot. We're having to pass it along to the customers, we're having to lower margins - it's a difficult road."

"Tariffs have had a domino effect. The cost of goods - when I look at my invoices from 2025 until now - range anywhere from 8 to 49% more," said Juici Patties Franchisee Annette Kidd, "The domino effect of that is the impact it has on customers. They're spending less because they have less to go out and eat with because their prices are more increased, and therefore you have less traffic coming through the store as well as less revenues - they're spending less per ticket item."

"Overnight we had to figure out how to finance paying tariffs within seven days, but then also to finance it from the thirty to sixty days it takes to get paid and to sell the flowers to the consumer," said Executive VP of the Association of Floral Importers of America Christine Boldt, "Flowers are a luxury, and so it's not something that everyone is going to all-of-the-sudden put into their cart if they're worried about paying for milk and butter and bread and meat."

"The tariffs are really scary for the gift basket industry. I know it's scary for my business," said Owner of Joyce's Baskets Joyce Arrieta, "I've noticed a lot of the businesses that I purchase products from have went out of business, and the ones that are staying the prices are so high that they have to pass that along to us due to the tariffs. It makes it difficult for me as a small business owner to continue to pivot and make prices affordable for my online shoppers and clients."

Impact of Trump Tariffs in Florida:

• 110,000 jobs in Florida rely on trade, most of which are in our flagship sectors like aerospace, agriculture, medical services, and port/trade logistics.
• Florida's $100 billion tourism industry has suffered as trade wars and ICE brutality reduce international visitor numbers by an estimated 8-12%
• 97% of U.S. importers are small businesses with fewer than 500 employees. Nearly half employ fewer than 50.
• Florida businesses have been charged more than $5 billion since Trump illegally imposed tariffs on our biggest trading partners.
• Florida households have paid nearly $2,000 extra over the last year for regular goods.
• Even after the Supreme Court struck down Trump's illegal tax on Americans, the Administration has still refused to pay out more than $165 billion in tariff refunds.