The Georgia Chamber of Commerce is watching how Trump Administration’s tariff policies can impact the state’s economy.
The Chamber released Guidance and Advice on Tariffs and Trade Regulations (www.gachamber.com/data/tariffs-briefing-april-16-2025-guidance-advice-on-tariffs-and-trade-regulations/), a 14-page report examining the current situation while providing guidance on ways to mitigate the impact.
Coinciding with the release of the report, Chris Clark, President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber, held a virtual news conference with reporters across the state, including ABD.
The latest report focused on Georgia’s most valuable sectors, including manufacturing, retail, and agribusiness. One recommendation is to make use of Georgia’s Foreign Trade Zones to maintain supply chains while containing costs by delaying duties on imports until the products are used or sold domestically.
Clark said one recommendation is to stockpile orders, something large businesses in the state have been doing. He acknowledges that it may not be an option for small businesses.
“Unfortunately, small businesses don’t have the same resources and are unable to do that. Many of them are living week to week or month to month with their orders,” he said. “To those men and women, we’re suggesting that they go ahead and talk to their banks, develop a plan, and then try to secure additional capital so that they can stockpile, or they can absorb maybe some of the costs that they are considering passing on to consumers.”
Clark said this is also the time for those small businesses to explore new suppliers.
“I’ve encouraged the small businesses I’ve talked with to look at India, look at Indonesia, look at other market partners right now, and go ahead and start ordering and diversifying your product line today. You should not wait, thinking that in 90 days, this will all go away and be better. I think, particularly on the Chinese front, we’re in for a long haul here.”
Another option would be to develop relationships with domestic or foreign suppliers in markets that aren’t impacted or seek out markets that are eager to finalize trade agreements.
“I’m most worried about those Georgia farmers in the soybean space, the pecan space, which China has become a huge purchaser of pecans. I was with the Indian Consul General just two days ago. We’re talking about how we get more Georgia pecans over there. So, look at new markets, and I think in the long run, there will be new markets,” said Clark, adding, “There was a report out of Washington last night that the President recognized the impact to U.S. farmers and said that there could be support there.”
Clark doesn’t believe that support is a possibility for some products, something that can particularly impact projects in metro Augusta. He said I-20 and I-16 are booming, and construction companies have supply concerns, especially for steel and concrete.
“We’re encouraging them to look for domestic suppliers. Now, there are some things we’re never going to make here. We don’t have the precious metals to make the early components for batteries, even though we put them together at the end of the supply chain,” he told ABD. “My hope is the federal government, through the SBDC (Small Business Development Center), SBA (Small Business Administration), and other partners that we, as we did in President Trump’s first term, do provide some relief like we did for farmers, and I hope that is coming as well. But right now, we’re seeing no kind of federal relief or support for those companies.”
The Georgia Chamber has released three reports this month. On April 3rd, New U.S. Tariffs + Potential Georgia Impact was posted to its website. (www.gachamber.com/data/tariffs-briefing/) Then, on April 11, the Chamber released The Impact of U.S.-China Trade Conflict on Georgia’s Business Community.
(www.gachamber.com/data/tariffs-briefing-april-11-2025-the-impact-of-u-s-china-trade-conflict-on-georgias-business-community/) A fourth report is expected next week, centered on the state’s service sector.
Also monitoring the impact tariffs are having is the National Retail Federation. It released a statement that said more tariffs result in more anxiety and uncertainty for consumers and businesses alike.
“Voters do not see tariffs as helping vulnerable communities, including blue-collar workers, rural communities, families with young children, low-income households, the elderly, and farmers,” said David French, Executive Vice President of Government Relations, in the statement. Tariffs are a tax paid by the U.S. importer that will be passed along to the end consumer. Tariffs will not be paid by foreign countries or suppliers.”
French said a recent poll conducted by Morning Consult found 88% of voters say small businesses play a significant role in the economy. (www.nrf.com/blog/how-voters-really-feel-about-the-2025-tariffs)
“We encourage President Trump to hold trading partners accountable and restore fairness for American businesses without creating economic uncertainty and higher prices for American families,” said French.
