In Which I Try To Tackle the Topic of Tariffs Without Fear-Mongering

I had a conversation with a small business owner at an equine expo over the weekend, and naturally — no, really, actually naturally — the subject of tariffs came up in the conversation. This particular business (horse and pet treats) already sourced all of its ingredients in the United States, and only had relied on overseas production for its packaging, which they were recently able to switch to sourcing domestically as well. She pointed out where she had added a “Made in the USA” label on her branding at her booth — a fact that had always been true and accurate for describing her business, but now had added weight in the current climate.

I’ll leave it to economic minds far smarter than my own to explain how tariffs do or don’t work; the goal posts keep moving so it’s still a little unclear to me if the point of this to clap back at other countries who have applied tariffs to US-based goods, or if this is supposed to help us develop more industry here at home, or some other reason yet to be revealed when it will be most politically convenient. If you’ve driven a car or used a smartphone — chances are, you’re reading this blog post on a phone right now — you’ve benefitted from a global economy, and I’ll leave it at that.

The part I want to focus on is that I’m going to continue beating the drum for a strong local economy — not because I think it’s a great time to hop on the hyper-local train as the ripples of unrest move through our economy, but because I still believe that nothing will get you through tough periods like the one we find ourselves in like a strong local community. This is a topic I’ve covered in this blog in the past, and I still feel the same way now: strong, small businesses working locally, sourcing locally, and selling locally all help create a positive sense of identity for a community, which in turn strengthens the community to protect and promote itself.

I’m still working my way through an existing yarn stash that’s sourced globally, but once that’s gone, I’m refocusing my yarn sourcing all locally (other than the cotton yarn for the dish rags). The raffia I use for baskets is imported from Madagascar — it’s one of the only places that kind of palm grows — but I’m constantly working on new materials to try to find a locally-grown replacement that might also take natural dyes well. The rest of my basket supplies, I’m foraging myself from places as close as my own backyard.

I don’t like fear-mongering as a sales tactic. I know there are many of other crafters who either out of choice or necessity source their materials globally. I know that the constantly-changing landscape of tariffs is making the future look very unclear for many other makers.

That said, know that at least for now, I don’t anticipate major changes to my pricing. Until they find a way to tax the soil, the sunlight, the wind, and the rain — which I’m sure they’ll figure out soon — you’ll find me outside, experimenting with the new fibers and materials that nature provides.

Take that, tariffs.