OMAHA, NE — Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) is raising serious concerns about the economic impact President Trump’s current tariffs are having on small businesses across Nebraska — and the consequences could be devastating if changes aren’t made fast.
Appearing on MSNBC this weekend alongside Democrat Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Bacon shared real-life stories from local entrepreneurs who are being crushed by rising costs and supply chain delays. While President Trump continues pushing for fairer trade deals that prioritize American workers, Bacon says the unintended effects of these tariffs are hitting Main Street hard.
“If these tariffs aren’t revised, the average American will pay $5,000 more for a new car,” Bacon warned. “Even American-made vehicles rely on global parts — and those parts are getting expensive fast.”
🔧 Local Shops Face Shuttering as Prices Surge
In one emotional example, Bacon highlighted a longtime family-run Christmas light store in Nebraska that now faces collapse. Why? Nearly all its inventory comes from overseas, and the owner can’t find replacements in time for the holiday season.
“He’s built his life around this business,” Bacon said. “Now he may lose it all.”
From car dealerships to specialty retailers, Bacon said the same message is echoing across his district: without tariff relief, businesses will either jack up prices or shut down entirely.
📉 Recession Fears Grow as Economy Slows
While President Trump has paused many of the more aggressive tariffs as new trade negotiations play out, signs of economic strain are growing. The U.S. economy shrank in the first quarter, stoking fears of a potential recession among analysts and financial experts.
“These are mixed signals,” Bacon said. “We’re hearing from economists and we’re seeing it on the ground. If we don’t act, we risk doing real damage to our small business backbone.”
🇺🇸 President Trump: “This Is a Transition Period”
Despite these concerns, President Trump remains confident that his America First trade strategy will deliver long-term gains. In a preview of an upcoming Meet the Press interview, he pushed back on fears of a downturn.
“This is a transition period,” Trump said. “I believe we’re going to come out of this doing fantastically.”
Supporters argue that temporary discomfort is worth the price if it means regaining control over U.S. supply chains and ending decades of one-sided trade agreements that benefited foreign powers at America’s expense.
⚠️ The Bottom Line
Rep. Bacon’s warning is a clear sign that while the president’s trade policy aims to protect American jobs, the short-term impact could leave many small businesses — especially in the heartland — on life support.
Will adjustments be made in time to protect the very businesses that form the backbone of rural America?
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