The article discusses how hobbies and leisure activities, once considered escapes from politics, are now deeply intertwined with global trade issues, particularly due to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. The tariffs target essential goods and various industries, causing anxiety and uncertainty for smaller businesses. This situation not only affects consumer products but also the joy derived from hobbies like music and art, exemplified by the concerns of figures like Jim Henderson from Amoeba Music. Overall, it highlights how unavoidable political decisions create widespread ramifications even in leisure spheres.
Sadly, I have bad news: Even your hobbies can't escape global politics.
The tariffs he's imposing on those three countries are universal... these countries are to be punished, and our dependence upon them means we'll be shouldering lots of pain as well.
The constant wavering on tariffs fosters a climate of uncertainty... makes it so much harder for smaller businesses and more precarious industries to navigate the chaos.
Jim Henderson, a co-founder of the iconic California record store Amoeba Music, told me that he and his fellow indie-chain executives had been "dreading Trump's tariff bonanza" since the 2024 election.
Collection
[
|
...
]