Small Business Owner Explains How Trump Tariffs Could Force Production Overseas

Impact of Tariffs on Manufacturing

• ⚠️ Julie Robbins, CEO of EarthQuaker Devices, is considering moving manufacturing overseas due to the impact of tariffs.
• 📈 Tariffs make her company's products "exceedingly expensive" for export markets, while competitors abroad do not face this issue.
• 📉 Sales are down, and sustained losses put the company at risk of bankruptcy by the end of the year, necessitating a potential downsizing.

The Role of the STEP Program

• 🤝 The STEP program helps small businesses sell internationally by providing technical assistance and grants, with Ohio dispersing funds through the SBDC and an IMAGE grant.
• 🌍 This program partially reimburses export-related activities and offers education, such as the "global target program" which prepared Robbins' company for a trip to Brazil.
• 💡 Robbins highlights the program's value in preparing businesses for export markets, connecting them with experts, and demystifying export complexities.

Consequences of Eliminating STEP Program

• 📉 If the STEP program is eliminated, it would have a devastating impact, especially on new startups or small businesses new to exporting.
• 🎓 Businesses without the experience and education gained through the STEP program would lose a valuable resource for understanding exporting, marketing, legal compliance, and financing.
• 🌐 The loss of access to experts and educational sessions would make it significantly harder for less experienced businesses to gain a foothold in international markets.