Nina Cooper, owner of Nina Designs specializing in sterling silver jewelry from Indonesia and Thailand, expresses concern over the Trump administration's tariffs. Though there is a temporary pause on reciprocal tariffs, a universal 10% tariff is in effect, threatening her business with potential increases up to 50% on imports. Despite growing her business to $5 million and serving 1,600 shops, Cooper fears the long-term effects of these policies. Many Berkeley business owners face similar dilemmas, stockpiling inventory and freezing spending as they navigate this challenging environment.
Cooper feels lucky to have avoided the worst but fearful for the future. The reciprocal tariffs were slated to add 32% on goods from Indonesia and 37% from Thailand, bringing some of Nina Designs' tariffs up to 50%.
The problem is we just don't know how it's going to shake out. Cooper is among the many Berkeley business owners who have been affected in some way mostly in their bottom line by the recent Trump tariffs.
They are stocking up before the pause expires in early July, freezing spending and in some cases trying not to raise prices on customers.
Berkeley businesses often cannot find domestic substitutions for foreign items that make their products unique.
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