Trump Voter Hit with $77K Tariff on German Machine — Montana Knife Co. Founder Feels the Cost of Trump’s “Trade War”

鬼百合

不给糖就捣蛋

As President Donald Trump prepares to announce a new wave of tariff increases, American manufacturers are bracing for the financial fallout. For business owners like Josh Smith, founder of Montana Knife Co., the impact is already painfully clear. Smith recently purchased a $515,000 blade-grinding machine from Germany, which under Trump’s updated trade policies, will now carry an additional $77,250 in import taxes.

Trump’s administration is rolling out tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on goods from dozens of countries, including key trading partners like the European Union, Japan, and the UK. While the White House insists these tariffs will revive American factory jobs and shrink the budget deficit, many U.S. manufacturers warn that the rising costs could stall wage growth, force layoffs, or even lead to factory closures.


Chris Bangert-Drowns, a researcher at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, estimates that factory costs could climb by 2% to 4.5% due to the tariffs. “That might seem minor, but for businesses operating on thin profit margins, it could mean wage stagnation or plant shutdowns,” Bangert-Drowns explained.

The political gamble is clear: Trump aims to portray these tariffs as a win for American strength on the global stage, but the real test will be whether factory towns see a resurgence and whether everyday Americans feel economically secure.

For Smith, the dilemma is immediate and frustrating. “I would love to buy American-made grinding machines, but they don’t exist,” he said. “Only two companies in the world make them, and both are in Germany.” As a result, the machine’s new 15% import tax represents a cost that could have funded a new hire at his company.

Smith’s challenges echo across American manufacturing. Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, which has given U.S. steelmakers the opportunity to raise domestic prices. Justin Johnson, president of Jordan Manufacturing Co. in Michigan, says his company has seen the price of steel coil rise between 5% and 10% this year. “There’s no capitalist who wouldn’t raise prices when competition is crippled,” Johnson said.


Despite Trump’s assertion that tariffs are not fueling inflation, businesses on the ground report rising costs. A recent survey by the Atlanta Federal Reserve found that companies expect to pass on at least half of the tariff-related expenses to consumers through higher prices. Moreover, Labor Department data shows that the U.S. lost 14,000 manufacturing jobs after Trump announced his initial tariff hikes in April.

In key swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin, more than 20% of jobs are tied to industries vulnerable to these tariffs, including manufacturing, construction, mining, and oil drilling. Even sectors Trump has hailed as the future, like artificial intelligence and advanced electronics, are heavily dependent on imported components, with over 20% of inputs sourced globally.

The White House argues that new trade frameworks will open markets for American businesses and reassert the global dominance of the “Made in USA” label. “Under President Trump, ‘Made in USA’ is set to resume its global dominance,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said.


Yet, the reality remains murky. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently stated that foreign nations are willing to pay tariffs to retain access to the U.S. market. However, this toll is also being shouldered by American manufacturers, many of whom are already feeling the financial strain.

Smith, a Trump supporter himself, finds it ironic that policies intended to bolster American manufacturing are putting added stress on small and medium-sized businesses like his. After a key U.S. steel supplier, Crucible Industries, filed for bankruptcy, Smith had to source his specialty steel from Sweden, which is now also facing a 50% import duty starting in 2026.

To buffer against the immediate impact, Smith stockpiled a year’s worth of steel in advance. Still, he worries about the long-term viability of his business model if such tariffs continue. “I’m sitting here looking at numbers every day, deciding whether we can hire more people or invest in more equipment,” Smith said. “These tariffs make those decisions harder.”

While Trump maintains that tariffs will rejuvenate American industry without inflating prices, economists like Ernie Tedeschi from Yale University suggest otherwise. According to Tedeschi, American households could lose up to $2,400 annually due to tariff-driven cost increases.

As the administration presses forward with its tariff strategy, companies like Montana Knife Co. are caught in the middle—trying to grow, hire, and innovate, while bracing for the next wave of costs.
 

As President Donald Trump prepares to announce a new wave of tariff increases, American manufacturers are bracing for the financial fallout. For business owners like Josh Smith, founder of Montana Knife Co., the impact is already painfully clear. Smith recently purchased a $515,000 blade-grinding machine from Germany, which under Trump’s updated trade policies, will now carry an additional $77,250 in import taxes.

Trump’s administration is rolling out tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on goods from dozens of countries, including key trading partners like the European Union, Japan, and the UK. While the White House insists these tariffs will revive American factory jobs and shrink the budget deficit, many U.S. manufacturers warn that the rising costs could stall wage growth, force layoffs, or even lead to factory closures.


Chris Bangert-Drowns, a researcher at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, estimates that factory costs could climb by 2% to 4.5% due to the tariffs. “That might seem minor, but for businesses operating on thin profit margins, it could mean wage stagnation or plant shutdowns,” Bangert-Drowns explained.

The political gamble is clear: Trump aims to portray these tariffs as a win for American strength on the global stage, but the real test will be whether factory towns see a resurgence and whether everyday Americans feel economically secure.

For Smith, the dilemma is immediate and frustrating. “I would love to buy American-made grinding machines, but they don’t exist,” he said. “Only two companies in the world make them, and both are in Germany.” As a result, the machine’s new 15% import tax represents a cost that could have funded a new hire at his company.

Smith’s challenges echo across American manufacturing. Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, which has given U.S. steelmakers the opportunity to raise domestic prices. Justin Johnson, president of Jordan Manufacturing Co. in Michigan, says his company has seen the price of steel coil rise between 5% and 10% this year. “There’s no capitalist who wouldn’t raise prices when competition is crippled,” Johnson said.


Despite Trump’s assertion that tariffs are not fueling inflation, businesses on the ground report rising costs. A recent survey by the Atlanta Federal Reserve found that companies expect to pass on at least half of the tariff-related expenses to consumers through higher prices. Moreover, Labor Department data shows that the U.S. lost 14,000 manufacturing jobs after Trump announced his initial tariff hikes in April.

In key swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin, more than 20% of jobs are tied to industries vulnerable to these tariffs, including manufacturing, construction, mining, and oil drilling. Even sectors Trump has hailed as the future, like artificial intelligence and advanced electronics, are heavily dependent on imported components, with over 20% of inputs sourced globally.

The White House argues that new trade frameworks will open markets for American businesses and reassert the global dominance of the “Made in USA” label. “Under President Trump, ‘Made in USA’ is set to resume its global dominance,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said.


Yet, the reality remains murky. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently stated that foreign nations are willing to pay tariffs to retain access to the U.S. market. However, this toll is also being shouldered by American manufacturers, many of whom are already feeling the financial strain.

Smith, a Trump supporter himself, finds it ironic that policies intended to bolster American manufacturing are putting added stress on small and medium-sized businesses like his. After a key U.S. steel supplier, Crucible Industries, filed for bankruptcy, Smith had to source his specialty steel from Sweden, which is now also facing a 50% import duty starting in 2026.

To buffer against the immediate impact, Smith stockpiled a year’s worth of steel in advance. Still, he worries about the long-term viability of his business model if such tariffs continue. “I’m sitting here looking at numbers every day, deciding whether we can hire more people or invest in more equipment,” Smith said. “These tariffs make those decisions harder.”

While Trump maintains that tariffs will rejuvenate American industry without inflating prices, economists like Ernie Tedeschi from Yale University suggest otherwise. According to Tedeschi, American households could lose up to $2,400 annually due to tariff-driven cost increases.

As the administration presses forward with its tariff strategy, companies like Montana Knife Co. are caught in the middle—trying to grow, hire, and innovate, while bracing for the next wave of costs.
Just another example of be careful of what you wish for because when it comes back and bites you in the ass it is too late to go back.
I feel sorry for the people that didn't vote for Trump that are starting to pay higher prices for a lot of things . and NOT all of Trumps tariffs are in place yet.
But I don't feel sorry for the ones that did vote for him.
 

As President Donald Trump prepares to announce a new wave of tariff increases, American manufacturers are bracing for the financial fallout. For business owners like Josh Smith, founder of Montana Knife Co., the impact is already painfully clear. Smith recently purchased a $515,000 blade-grinding machine from Germany, which under Trump’s updated trade policies, will now carry an additional $77,250 in import taxes.

Trump’s administration is rolling out tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on goods from dozens of countries, including key trading partners like the European Union, Japan, and the UK. While the White House insists these tariffs will revive American factory jobs and shrink the budget deficit, many U.S. manufacturers warn that the rising costs could stall wage growth, force layoffs, or even lead to factory closures.


Chris Bangert-Drowns, a researcher at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, estimates that factory costs could climb by 2% to 4.5% due to the tariffs. “That might seem minor, but for businesses operating on thin profit margins, it could mean wage stagnation or plant shutdowns,” Bangert-Drowns explained.

The political gamble is clear: Trump aims to portray these tariffs as a win for American strength on the global stage, but the real test will be whether factory towns see a resurgence and whether everyday Americans feel economically secure.

For Smith, the dilemma is immediate and frustrating. “I would love to buy American-made grinding machines, but they don’t exist,” he said. “Only two companies in the world make them, and both are in Germany.” As a result, the machine’s new 15% import tax represents a cost that could have funded a new hire at his company.

Smith’s challenges echo across American manufacturing. Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, which has given U.S. steelmakers the opportunity to raise domestic prices. Justin Johnson, president of Jordan Manufacturing Co. in Michigan, says his company has seen the price of steel coil rise between 5% and 10% this year. “There’s no capitalist who wouldn’t raise prices when competition is crippled,” Johnson said.


Despite Trump’s assertion that tariffs are not fueling inflation, businesses on the ground report rising costs. A recent survey by the Atlanta Federal Reserve found that companies expect to pass on at least half of the tariff-related expenses to consumers through higher prices. Moreover, Labor Department data shows that the U.S. lost 14,000 manufacturing jobs after Trump announced his initial tariff hikes in April.

In key swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin, more than 20% of jobs are tied to industries vulnerable to these tariffs, including manufacturing, construction, mining, and oil drilling. Even sectors Trump has hailed as the future, like artificial intelligence and advanced electronics, are heavily dependent on imported components, with over 20% of inputs sourced globally.

The White House argues that new trade frameworks will open markets for American businesses and reassert the global dominance of the “Made in USA” label. “Under President Trump, ‘Made in USA’ is set to resume its global dominance,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said.


Yet, the reality remains murky. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently stated that foreign nations are willing to pay tariffs to retain access to the U.S. market. However, this toll is also being shouldered by American manufacturers, many of whom are already feeling the financial strain.

Smith, a Trump supporter himself, finds it ironic that policies intended to bolster American manufacturing are putting added stress on small and medium-sized businesses like his. After a key U.S. steel supplier, Crucible Industries, filed for bankruptcy, Smith had to source his specialty steel from Sweden, which is now also facing a 50% import duty starting in 2026.

To buffer against the immediate impact, Smith stockpiled a year’s worth of steel in advance. Still, he worries about the long-term viability of his business model if such tariffs continue. “I’m sitting here looking at numbers every day, deciding whether we can hire more people or invest in more equipment,” Smith said. “These tariffs make those decisions harder.”

While Trump maintains that tariffs will rejuvenate American industry without inflating prices, economists like Ernie Tedeschi from Yale University suggest otherwise. According to Tedeschi, American households could lose up to $2,400 annually due to tariff-driven cost increases.

As the administration presses forward with its tariff strategy, companies like Montana Knife Co. are caught in the middle—trying to grow, hire, and innovate, while bracing for the next wave of costs.
This insanity is going to tank the economy.
 
Karma.

What a sweet, sweet bitch she can be sometimes.

Love to see it when idiots suffer the consequences of their own selfishness after it backfires on them.

Fuck that guy.

Pay the $77k out of your own pocket and chalk it up to another lesson learned the hard way.

🖕🏼
 
For Smith, the dilemma is immediate and frustrating. “I would love to buy American-made grinding machines, but they don’t exist,” he said. “Only two companies in the world make them, and both are in Germany.” As a result, the machine’s new 15% import tax represents a cost that could have funded a new hire at his company.
He got what he voted for, what does he have to complain about?
 
“I’m sitting here looking at numbers every day, deciding whether we can hire more people or invest in more equipment,” Smith said. “These tariffs make those decisions harder.”

This is the dilemma for a lot of businesses. The instability of DonOld has a stranglehold on a lot of businesses and has ruined others.
 
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