21 Hats Podcast Dashboard: Even Made in the USA Manufacturers May Not Survive the Tariffs
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Oct 24, 2025 
Greg Shugar, owner of Beau Ties and co-founder of The Tie Bar, dives deep into how tariffs threaten U.S. manufacturers. He explains the irony of needing imported silk while being a domestic producer. A possible 100% tariff looms large, complicating his business planning and profitability. Shugar discusses stockpiling strategies, the challenges of small business lobbying in Washington, and the mixed reception from lawmakers. He passionately argues against offshoring production, emphasizing the impact on brand identity and U.S. jobs.
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Made In USA But Still Pay Tariffs
- Greg Shugar describes Bowties of Vermont manufacturing all ties in Middlebury, Vermont while importing silk jacquard fabric from China and Italy.
- He explains tariffs apply to that imported fabric and directly raise his production costs despite making products in the U.S.
Policy Rhetoric vs. Implementation Gap
- Tariff policy promised exemptions for domestic makers but in practice increased costs by adding new tariffs on imported inputs.
- That gap between political rhetoric and implementation creates real unpredictability for manufacturers.
Rushing Shipments To Beat Deadlines
- Greg rushed a flight from his factory to land October 30th to try to avoid a possible tariff increase on November 1st.
- He contrasts that agility with other businesses that rely on slower ocean freight and can't easily change ship dates.