The Chamber hosted a Town Hall in partnership with Congresswoman Maxine Dexter (D-OR 3) on July 30 to hear how local businesses have been impacted by the Trump Administration tariffs.
In attendance were 57 local businesses representing diverse industries like logistics, technology, hospitality, and construction. Business owners shared numerous examples of how their operations have been disrupted by increased costs, interrupted supply chains, unpredictable changes, and unreliable government communication. Many owners noted that constant shifts have affected their abilities to plan and invest.
Real impacts, real voices
Katherine Lam, CEO of Bambuza Hospitality Group which sources raw ingredients and packaging from overseas, shared that her company had to halt five distribution deals after 18 months of work. Lam said, “I’m concerned about the future of the food industry and small businesses like ours. Trade uncertainty is hitting small businesses now. We’re adapting on a daily basis, but if this keeps up, everyone will be at risk, not just a small business like ours.”
For Beaverton-based Vernier Science Education, which produces tools STEM educational tools, the tariffs have increased operating expenses by 10-70%. The company has implemented a 5% tariff surcharge for every order to compensate. Brian Gilstrap, Vice President of Sales noted, “It’s making it difficult for us to compete globally.”
Chris West of PacWest Resources highlighted that the administration imposed a 50% tariff on some copper products on July 30. Nate McCoy of the Oregon chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors added that everyday costs for builders are going up 20-30%. He added, “How are we going to meet our housing agenda? Our infrastructure agenda?”
The discussion is particularly critical for the local business community because Oregon is a trade-dependent state — one of only 11 states with a trade surplus — and has the highest per capita number of small businesses in the country. Small- and medium-sized businesses in Oregon are responsible for 88% of the state’s exports.
These tariffs are one of the largest tax increases on U.S. businesses and consumers in American history. The theme is chaos.
Businesses also lamented the lack of clear communication from the administration on the tariffs, with one business owner saying, “I guess we’re supposed to watch Truth Social for updates.”
Tourism to Oregon, along with tourism nationwide, is also expected to decline. Kate Baumgartner of Travel Oregon shared that Oregon’s tourism sector is set to expect 82,000 fewer international visitors this year and a resulting $51 million decline in revenue. This will largely be due to significant drops in visitors from Canada, who represent around half of Oregon’s international tourists.
Dexter emphasized the need to support resilience among the local business community to help navigate continuing shifts. “Am I going to get the President to change his chaotic decisions?” she said. “No. But we can create other protection mechanisms. My Republican colleagues don’t like this any more than we do.”
Related media:
Oregon Rep. Dexter hears from local business owners on tariff impacts
Portland business owners on how tariffs add to uncertainty
Rep. Dexter hears from tariff-affected small business owners