How tariffs hit small-town America: Tri-City Area feels the ripple

When tariffs ripple through the national economy, the first tremors might hit Wall Street—but in the Tri-City Area, they’re felt in soybean fields, factory floors, and on the shelves of local stores. From Hartford to Coloma, the effects of trade disputes and import taxes have quietly reshaped the fortunes of small businesses and family farms that form the backbone of the region’s economy.

This area’s mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and small retail makes it a microcosm of how tariffs impact rural and small-town America. The country’s farmers depend heavily on exports to move corn, soybeans, and fruit.

Its manufacturers supply parts for the auto industry and specialty sector. And its local consumers, like everywhere else, are the ones who ultimately bear the cost when global trade turns uncertain.

Farmers on the

front line

Few groups have felt the sting of tariffs more sharply than farmers. When the U.S. imposed tariffs on Chinese goods and steel imports several years ago, China retaliated with levies on American soybeans and other crops. The result: markets that local growers had spent decades building suddenly evaporated.

Beyond soybeans, fruit growers in the country also felt indirect effects. Tariffs on imported steel raised the price of equipment, irrigation systems, and storage facilities. Even replacement parts for tractors and trucks became more expensive.

Manufacturing

under pressure

Berrien County’s economy has long depended on small-scale manufacturing. While tariffs on imported steel were designed to revive American steel production, they also raised costs for local manufacturers who buy domestic steel that is now priced higher.

For smaller firms without large contracts or deep reserves, even small increases in material costs can be damaging. Some have delayed hiring, postponed equipment upgrades, or trimmed work hours to absorb the higher expenses.

The consumer’s burden

Tariffs don’t just hit producers—they hit consumers, too. In small towns like Coloma, Hartford, and Watervliet, shoppers have noticed rising prices on everything from food to appliances to home-improvement supplies. For families already stretched by higher grocery and gas prices, those added costs can strain budgets. Local retailers struggle when customers delay purchases of bigger ticket items. People don’t buy big-ticket items when tariffs make things cost more, which means stores end up moving less inventory.

Local budgets feel the strain

Economic ripples from tariffs extend beyond the private sector. When businesses slow down, so do local tax revenues. The Tri-City’s townships and small cities rely heavily on property and sales taxes to fund schools, fire departments, and road repairs.

“If factories cut back shifts or farmers can’t sell their crops, that affects the whole community,” said Sarah Sutherland, a local economic development coordinator. “It’s fewer dollars circulating in our local economy.”

Sutherland added that uncertainty over trade policy has made it harder to recruit new investment to rural areas. “Companies want predictability. If tariffs or supply chain rules change every few months, they’re reluctant to commit to long-term projects.”

Resilience and

adaptation

Despite the challenges, many people have found creative ways to adapt. Some farmers have begun exploring alternative markets in Europe and Latin America. Others are diversifying their operations by adding agritourism, farm-to-table programs, or direct-to-consumer sales.

On the manufacturing side, a few companies have shifted to domestic suppliers or invested in recycled materials to reduce reliance on imported steel.

The bigger picture

Economists agree that while tariffs are meant to level the playing field, they often have uneven consequences. Larger corporations can absorb or pass along costs, but smaller towns and rural economies lack that cushion. Locally, where agriculture and small manufacturing are deeply intertwined—tariffs often act like hidden taxes, hitting hardest where margins are thinnest.

“Tariffs make headlines in Washington,” Sutherland said, “but their impact is felt most on Main Street.”

Looking ahead

As national trade policy continues to evolve, area residents are watching closely. Many hope future policies strike a balance between protecting American industries and maintaining affordable access to global markets.

In 2025, global trade is once again convulsing under the weight of tariffs, escalation, and pressure-based negotiation tactics. The phrase “art of the deal,” long associated with bold, high-stakes negotiations, finds renewed relevance in how governments, especially the United States, are deploying tariffs as both weapons and bargaining chips.

For now, the signs of strain are subtle but visible: the plan is to level the tariff playing field, but is it through a “trade war” or the “art of the deal”? If the U.S. can translate its tariff threats into lasting compromise like market access, supply chain shifts, or regulatory alignment—the gamble may “pay off.” But if its adversaries dig in, retaliate, or escalate, the people of the United States right down to the local communities risk the drawn-out unraveling of global commerce, rising costs, and tough times for the world economy.