Marketplace Trump's tariffs take a toll
11 snips
Oct 13, 2025 The announcement of a 100% tariff on Chinese goods has left import-dependent businesses feeling the strain of uncertainty. Meanwhile, surprising GDP growth projections are attributed to a surge in AI investment and shifting consumption patterns. Discussions also highlight the challenges posed by missing labor data and how the ongoing government shutdown complicates job market assessments. On a tech front, California's plan for shared AI GPU infrastructure addresses growing demand in the tech sector.
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Tariffs, AI Buildout, And The GDP Bounce
- GDP rebounded partly because imports fell after businesses front-loaded shipments ahead of earlier tariffs.
- Large capital investment in AI data centers and stock-driven consumer spending also pushed measured GDP up.
Small Business Owner Spirals After Tariff News
- Beth Benecke of Busy Baby described spiraling and turning off her phone after a tariff announcement disrupted holiday shipment plans.
- She and other small import-reliant owners feel frustrated, defeated, and at risk of going out of business from shifting tariff policy.
Manufacturers Rush Shipments Amid Tariff Uncertainty
- Greg Sugar of Bowties of Vermont rushed to ship silk before a tariff deadline and hesitated to switch suppliers amid constant tariff shifts.
- True Places paused moving manufacturing to Cambodia because rules could change suddenly and unpredictably.