EDITOR’S NOTE: South King Media Founder/Publisher Scott Schaefer serves on the Board of Directors for the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce.
Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Samantha Le is urging local businesses to prepare for significant disruptions as rapidly expanding federal tariffs strain supply chains and increase operational costs across the region.
In an email sent out to Chamber members, Le outlined the impact of heightened import tariffs—some reaching as high as 145%—on small and mid-sized businesses. The tariffs affect goods from China, Canada, Mexico, the European Union and others, with critical industries such as steel, aluminum, automotive products, and potentially copper, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors already impacted.
For many businesses, this means:
- Sudden cost increases that can’t be passed on due to fixed contracts
- Delayed or halted supplier shipments
- Increased customs bond costs
- Forecasting and inventory instability
“These changes are fast-moving, difficult to predict, and increasingly complex,” Le wrote. “Even businesses that do not directly import goods are being impacted through upstream supply chain disruptions.”
To help businesses navigate the growing uncertainty, the Washington State Department of Commerce has launched a new Tariff Information and Resource Guide, offering up-to-date tariff data, supply chain risk strategies, and training opportunities.
“We encourage all Chamber members to visit this site and share it with peers and partners,” Le said.
The Chamber is also working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and state officials to ensure South King County businesses are represented in ongoing policy discussions.
Business owners facing tariff-related challenges are encouraged to contact the Chamber to share their experiences and contribute to regional advocacy efforts.
For more info on the chamber, please visit https://www.seattlesouthsidechamber.com/.
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