How Americans feel about the fallout from Trump’s tariffs

BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – It’s been a tumultuous week – as President Trump took executive action to impose new tariffs on goods from Canada and China, while halting Mexico.

What will become of the ever-changing landscape? Many shared their thoughts on the economic impact.

“He’s our president. I agree with him; he’s trying to make America great again,” said Pipestem resident William Phillips. “You cut fuel down, get our own fuel, we’ll cut prices down. So you ain’t gotta get it from other places, we’ll be better.”

It’s tough because we want to create an environment where people can afford to live here.

“It’s not just about us here as a country, we’re wealthy,” said Tony Chiavone, of Charlottesville, VA. “So what can we do to serve other people and help make other countries great along with us?”

Canada is a small country with raw materials and industry. A Toronto resident says they will adjust, and the burden of the tariffs is on the American consumer.

“I was just in there (Beckley Travel Plaza) getting snacks for myself and my son and the prices of snacks here are double when you adjust for currency to what they’d be in Canada,” said Ryan McAndrew. “You guys are already paying a lot more. I can’t see how you could stomach the burden of having to pay more ’cause of tariffs.”

Tariffs are not necessarily a bad thing, they’ve gotten a bad rap recently, according to a Marietta, Ohio resident. He says before 1913 the country was operated on tariffs, we had a standing army, social services, and everyone took home 100 percent of their paycheck. Once the IRS got involved we were taxed on almost everything.

“Sometimes tariffs are used as financial punishment,” Jim Heikkinen said. “However, properly run and — I’m pretty sure that Trump knows what he’s doing being a businessman — tariffs on the whole would be a good thing for america.”

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