That was Donald Trump’s response yesterday when asked about the impact of tariffs on imported consumer goods.
Charming.
But here’s the thing—those tariffs aren’t just about dolls. They hit a lot closer to home for small businesses, like the craft breweries I work with.
I spent the past four days at the national Craft Brewers Conference, and tariffs weighed heavily on every single attendee.
From stainless steel tanks and canning lines to imported hops and packaging materials, breweries greatly rely on global supply chains. Slapping tariffs from 25% to 145% or higher on key components doesn’t just raise costs—it squeezes margins, delays expansion, prices out innovation, and even closes some doors.
You know what craft brewers can’t do? Just “settle” for two kegs instead of 30. Or one fermenter instead of five.
These aren’t billion-dollar corporations that can absorb cost spikes. They’re local businesses—employers, community builders, and creators of the beer in your hand or fridge right now.
So no, Mr. Trump, it’s not just about “fewer dolls.” It’s about more expensive beer, fewer jobs, and stalled dreams for the entrepreneurs at the heart of America’s brewing industry, and for small business owners across every other sector.
Cheers to that.