When “Buy Local” Still Costs More: A Wisconsin Pizza Shop’s Tariff Reality 🍕

This Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the landmark V.O.S. Selections v. Trump case — a decision that could reshape how tariff powers are used under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

For Sarah Thomas of Sugar River Pizza Co., a small family-owned restaurant with four locations around Wisconsin, the outcome couldn’t be more personal.

“I thought we would be somewhat sheltered from tariffs since we buy local and our equipment is primarily made in the U.S. What we've found is that prices just push up everything since our local producers are paying more. Disposables are also a huge part of our business and those have gotten astronomically high. Not to mention the credit card processors just keep pushing higher fees.”

Even businesses that don’t directly import goods are feeling the ripple effects of tariffs. Higher input costs cascade through the supply chain — from equipment to packaging — and ultimately land hardest on small, community-based businesses like Sugar River Pizza.

As the Court considers whether the government can continue to impose tariffs under IEEPA, stories like Sarah’s show what’s at stake: thousands of small businesses facing compounding cost pressures they never signed up for.

📣 Help us amplify these voices. If you run or know a small business affected by rising costs, share your story with We Pay the Tariffs and sign our open letter calling for fair, accountable trade policy.