At a roundtable meeting with U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici in Portland, Oregon, coffee industry leaders expressed their growing frustrations over federal policies, including tariffs and USAID cuts, adversely impacting their businesses. The meeting, organized by Emily Smith of Hacea Coffee Source, brought together twelve representatives from various coffee sectors who detailed how rising costs and tariffs erode their profit margins and threaten survival. Smith cited potential costs exceeding $260,000 due to new tariffs, emphasizing the necessity of financing to cover these burdens while aiming to support their small-business clients amidst these challenges.
If we were to absorb a 10% tariff - assuming it stayed only at 10% - it would wipe out our margin, every single penny of it.
We care really deeply for small businesses who have also dedicated themselves to the betterment of our industry. We're really worried about their ability to make it through those sorts of difficulties.
Collection
[
|
...
]