Tariffs Hit Where You Least Expect Them

Tariffs don’t just affect manufacturers or importers. They can ripple across the economy in ways many people wouldn’t expect —affecting small businesses far removed from global trade.

That’s what happened to Krug Development, a three-person company working on a new hotel project in Red Lodge, Montana.

The company had ordered furniture, fixtures, and equipment (often called FFE in the hospitality industry) for the project well before the tariffs were announced.

“We purchased FFE for a new hotel project based in Red Lodge, Montana,” the company explains. “Our order was placed prior to the tariffs being enacted but the order was not delivered until after the tariffs were enacted.” The result was an unexpected $150,000 tariff bill that had never been part of the project’s budget.

For a three-person company managing a construction project, a surprise cost of that size can have major consequences for financing, planning, and future projects. Stories like this show how tariffs can reach far beyond traditional importers, affecting small businesses and projects across the country.

If your business paid IEEPA tariffs, consider joining the growing coalition calling for refunds. Sign the letter to Congress and the Administration demanding full, fast, and automatic repayment so that the small businesses who paid these unlawful tariffs can finally get their money back.