Small businesses across America are feeling the squeeze from President Trump's tariff policies, despite the administration's claims that its economic approach supports Main Street. Owners of independent shops and importers report steep increases in costs, reduced profit margins, and difficult choices about raising prices for customers.

Marc Bowker, who runs Alter Ego Comics in Lima, Ohio, says suppliers are charging up to 34% more on products due to tariffs, costs he's had to partially pass on to customers. With 70% of revenue coming from collectibles made in China, Bowker has seen profit margins slashed in half on many pre-ordered items.

Experts note that small businesses are less equipped to handle tariff impacts compared to large corporations. Wayne Winegarden, an economist at the Pacific Research Institute, states "This is not pro-Main Street, this is anti-Main Street." He explains that small businesses operate on thinner margins and have less ability to absorb extra costs.

Specific sectors like toy stores, bridal shops, and specialty food/beverage retailers are particularly vulnerable, as they rely heavily on imports from China. Jason Miller, a supply chain expert at Michigan State University, points out that small retailers have limited cash flow and less negotiating power with suppliers compared to major chains.

Some fear the tariffs could accelerate trends toward market concentration, allowing large corporations to expand while local retailers decline. This could negatively impact competition, employment, wages and economic inequality in communities.

Importers serving small retailers are also struggling to navigate pricing decisions amid tariff uncertainty. Victor Schwartz of wine importer VOS Selections describes having to make rapid pricing changes and inventory decisions as tariff policies shift unexpectedly.

While gig economy platforms provided income opportunities in past economic downturns, workers say competition is now much fiercer on apps like Uber and Instacart. This may limit their viability as fallback options if a recession occurs.

As small businesses grapple with these challenges, many owners express frustration that policies framed as supporting Main Street are having the opposite effect in practice. The situation highlights the complex impacts of trade policy decisions on different segments of the economy.