President Trump announced he would impose a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada,as well as a 10% tariff on goods from China in late January, and that’s leaving businesses inWest Virginia who import foreign goods uncertain with how to move forward.
AJ Warne, vice president of sales and marketing at Abraham Linc, a wholesale flooring distributor in Bridgeport, West Virginia, represents just one local business facing new challenges due to President Trump’s recent tariff announcements. The company imports flooring products from countries around the globe, including China and Canada, both nations that are now included in the tariff list.
“The challenge is the uncertainty because it makes it very difficult to have a stable supply chainand make good decisions about the future of your business when you don’t know what the administrations are going to do from one day to the next,” Warne said.
The tariffs, which are paid by importers, are typically passed down to consumers, leading to higher costs for consumers as well.
National reports indicate that President Trump is using tariffs to push for stricter border security measures, including increased policing to combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration. However, the immediate result of the tariffs is clear: fewer imports, less trade, and higher prices.
Political Science Professor Christina Fattore suggests that President Trump’s tariffs are likely part of a broader negotiation strategy, aimed at achieving political goals with countries like Canada and Mexico.
“But the bottom line is that he’s using it as a negotiating tool. We’re not truly sure what he wants from Canada or Mexico but it’s a negotiating tool,” Fattore said.
The impact of these tariffs reaches beyond the flooring industry, extending to other sectors in West Virginia, China, for example, has implemented a 15 percent tariff on coal and natural gas, all major industries in West Virginia.
Warne said the effects are not limited to national trade.
“This isn’t just a national issue, it’s not just going to hurt exports nationally, it will hurt us specifically here in West Virginia as well,” Warne said. “This could lead to businesses being hurt, this could lead to job losses in West Virginia.”
While the tariffs on China are already in effect, Trump has paused tariffs for Canada and Mexico for the next 30 days, providing a temporary relief. But for businesses like Abraham Linc, the long-term impacts remain uncertain as the situation continues to unfold.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI then edited by human journalists for accuracy and clarity. WVU News leverages AI to enhance efficiency and accuracy while maintaining a strong commitment to ethical reporting and human oversight.