Trump's Tariff Chaos: Sevenfold Cost Hike for Vermont Startup

Trump's Tariff Rollercoaster: A Vermont Startup's Story Illustrates the High Cost of Unpredictable Trade Policy The Trump administration's trade policies have been characterized by frequent shifts and reversals, leaving American businesses in a state of uncertainty. A recent MSNBC segment featuring Chris Hayes highlighted the real-world impact of these policies, using the example of a Vermont water bottle company, BiVo, as a compelling case study. Hayes explained, "Donald Trump has made it essentially impossible to keep track of what his own self-imposed tariffs are on which countries are day to day." This unpredictability creates significant challenges for businesses attempting to plan for the future and manage their costs. The BiVo water bottle company, according to a New York Times article, saw its sales projections plummet by 30% after Trump's tariff changes. Even when tariffs were temporarily reduced, the company still faced dramatically higher costs than before Trump took office. The New York Times reported that for a small shipment of water bottles, BiVo paid $24,436 in duties, compared to an estimated $3,645 under pre-Trump tariff rates. This represents a sevenfold increase in costs. This situation, as Hayes points out, is not an isolated incident. The administration's inconsistent approach to tariffs creates a climate of instability and uncertainty, impacting businesses of all sizes and sectors. This case study serves as a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of unpredictable trade policies.