Big Take They Voted for Trump. His Tariffs Took Down Their Family-Owned Sawmill
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Nov 14, 2025 Shawn Donnan, a Bloomberg Economics reporter, dives deep into the story of Wilson Jones, who runs a family-owned sawmill in North Carolina. They discuss how trade tariffs initiated by Trump led to the mill’s devastating closure. Wilson reflects on the emotional toll and the community's loss, despite once supporting Trump's policies. Insights into the sawmill's reliance on exports reveal the far-reaching impacts of tariffs on rural economy. The conversation blends personal narratives with broader economic themes, showcasing the human cost of policy decisions.
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Family Mill Depends On Exports
- The Jones family has run lumber mills in North Carolina since the 1930s and shifted one mill to export hardwood to China and Vietnam.
- Mackey's Ferry regularly shipped millions in lumber overseas until tariffs and retaliations collapsed that market.
Tariffs Devastate Tight-Margin Producers
- Tariffs and retaliatory duties can wipe out a third of a small mill's revenue almost overnight.
- Narrow margins and high shipping costs magnify trade-policy shocks for commodity exporters.
Long Decline Pushed Mills Overseas
- U.S. hardwood demand shrank since the 1980s, pushing many family mills toward export markets.
- Global competition and changing consumer tastes left hardwood producers reliant on foreign buyers.