ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - While much remains uncertain around the true impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, on Friday many across Atlanta expressed a disheartened outlook.

“We remain deeply concerned about the impact of tariffs on industries across metro Atlanta and Georgia. No one wins a trade war,” said Dr. Jerry Parrish, chief economist for the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “We know the economic effects will have a negative impact far beyond individual sectors, affecting businesses, workers and consumers alike.”

Some small business owners already reported financial backlash.

“It’s just heartbreaking,” said Dr. Cher’Don Reynolds, CEO of She Prints It, based in Stockbridge. “And we need our leaders to fight for us. We need the lawmakers to demand that something different happens. They know for a fact that we cannot survive this, and they don’t care. But I’m not going out without a fight.”

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Reynolds shared with Atlanta News First a message she received from one of her Chinese distributors.

With a subject reading “Key Policy Changes Effective Immediately,” the distributor said it had to change its shipping and pricing strategies in light of Trump’s tariff policies announced on April 2.

This distributor eliminated an $800 duty-free threshold, effective May 2, and increased shipping costs so that a minimum 0.25 kg shipment would see a $25 minimum tariff fee.

Reynolds said with 54 percent tariffs imposed on Chinese goods, her business will struggle to keep up with the fees and she’ll have to pass the costs down to her customers.

“It’s a domino effect. That all of this may be wiped away over something as simple as an unnecessary argument about goods and tariffs and trade, that really impacts everyday people. It breaks my heart,” she said.

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When asked about buying her blank products (like bags, coffee mugs, and T-shirts) in the United States, Reynolds said the domestic manufacturing industry is not established enough to allow her to compete with big stores.

She said she cannot wait years for the potential of textile factories to be stood up in the U.S.

“We cannot sustain [a two-year wait],” Reynolds said.

Small businesses make up 99.6 percent of all Georgia businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Association.

The Small Business Association identifies small businesses as those with fewer than 500 employees.

Roughly 42 percent of Georgia employees work for a small business.

Georgia farmers are also bracing for impacts from the new tariffs.

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“In the short-term, retaliatory tariffs will cause uncertainty for our farmers and producers, and we are working directly with the Trump administration to help ensure our farmers’ needs are met,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper in an email to Atlanta News First.

A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture told Atlanta News First they are hearing concerns from Georgia farmers about tariffs to imports and exports.

The state is pushing for improved trade policy and agreements to help ensure Georgia farmers remain competitive in the global agriculture market.

“I support President Trump’s efforts to negotiate better trade deals and level the playing field for American farmers through the use of strategic tariffs,” Harper continued.

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