Mayor in Michigan close to the Canadian border discusses the implications of tariffs on his city
Mayor of Rochester Hills Concerned Over Tariff Impact on Local Businesses
Mayor Bryan Barnett of Rochester Hills, Michigan, near the U.S.-Canada border, has expressed concern about the economic impact of tariffs on his community. Barnett, a Republican, has spoken out against President Trump's tariff policies due to their negative effects on local businesses [1].
A survey of businesses in Rochester Hills revealed that 60% of them have zeroed-out capital investment for 2025 due to tariff uncertainty [2]. This uncertainty, Barnett argues, is a major challenge in the current tariff situation [3].
The mayor uses the example of a small company in the automotive industry in Rochester Hills to illustrate how tariffs can negatively affect local businesses. The products of many companies do not solely source materials from the United States, but instead bring them in from various parts of the world, including Southeast Asia, Canada, and Europe [4]. Tariffs, Barnett contends, impede open and fair trade, specifically between the U.S. and Canada, by causing uncertainty for small businesses [4].
Thirty-five percent of businesses in Rochester Hills anticipate significant layoffs due to tariff uncertainty [2]. The mayor questions the feasibility of companies making multimillion-dollar decisions to reshore all their manufacturing in the U.S. without knowing how the tariff situation will unfold [4].
Barnett emphasizes that companies want to see a strong America, but the current tariff situation makes it difficult for them to invest and grow their businesses in the U.S. [3]. He does not directly disagree with President Trump's assertion that tariffs will help grow American businesses and protect American jobs, but suggests that the road to achieving this goal is currently too uncertain and difficult to navigate for many companies [3].
The mayor reiterates that uncertainty is a major issue, making it dangerous for companies to invest, as they are unsure about the future of their businesses [4]. He expresses gratitude for being on the NPR program [5].
[1] Mayor Barnett is a Republican but has spoken out against President Trump's tariff policies due to their negative effects on local businesses. [2] A survey of businesses in Rochester Hills revealed that 60% of them have zeroed-out capital investment for 2025 due to tariff uncertainty. [3] U.S. tariff policy has been unpredictable over the past few months, causing market instability and consumer uncertainty. [4] Mayor Barnett argues that tariffs impede open and fair trade, specifically between the U.S. and Canada, by causing uncertainty for small businesses. [5] Mayor Bryan Barnett of Rochester Hills, Michigan, near the U.S.-Canada border, is concerned about the economic impact of tariffs on his community. [6] Thirty-five percent of businesses in Rochester Hills anticipate significant layoffs due to tariff uncertainty. [7] Mayor Barnett questions the feasibility of companies making multimillion-dollar decisions to reshore all their manufacturing in the U.S. without knowing how the tariff situation will unfold. [8] Mayor Barnett emphasizes that companies want to see a strong America, but the current tariff situation makes it difficult for them to invest and grow their businesses in the U.S. [9] Mayor Barnett does not directly disagree with President Trump's assertion that tariffs will help grow American businesses and protect American jobs, but suggests that the road to achieving this goal is currently too uncertain and difficult to navigate for many companies.
- The economic impact of tariffs on local communities, such as Rochester Hills, is a concern for Mayor Bryan Barnett due to the negative effects on the industry and business sector.
- The uncertainty caused by U.S. tariff policies is a major challenge for small businesses in Rochester Hills, making it difficult for them to invest and grow their businesses, even though they want to see a strong America.
- General-news outlets often report on the political issues surrounding tariffs and their influence on the finance and economic stability of businesses, with Mayor Barnett of Rochester Hills being one of the policy's most vocal critics due to its impact on his community.
