Marketplace All-in-One The view of tariffs from the Santa Fe Indian Market
Aug 20, 2025
The Santa Fe Indian Market is a vibrant showcase for over 1,000 Indigenous artists, but rising tariffs are complicating their participation. Artists share how increased costs and sales declines impact their work. Meanwhile, international connections grow as India and China restart direct flights, potentially benefiting trade. On the housing front, mortgage rates dip slightly, yet demand struggles with limited inventory and job market challenges. The discussion paints a complex picture of tradition, trade, and economic resilience.
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Commodity Prices Amplify Tariff Pain
- Tariffs interact with commodity price swings to create acute cost pressure for craft artists reliant on specific raw materials.
- That combination can make it nearly impossible for small-scale artisans to remain profitable.
Trade Policy Hits Art Markets
- U.S. trade policy has rippled into cultural markets like the Santa Fe Indian Market, affecting artists' costs and business relationships.
- Tariffs and rising commodity prices force artists to raise prices and see reduced sales despite carve-outs for handmade art.
Silversmith Forced To Import Silver
- Oneida silversmith Ben Sickles travels from Nova Scotia and now imports silver from New Mexico because Canada lacks the supply he needs.
- He raised prices on a small pair of earrings from about $80 to $100 and reports sales are down.