Up First from NPR Tariffs Hit At Midnight, Small Business Reactions, National Security Firings
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Apr 4, 2025 
Alina Seljuk, NPR's business correspondent, shares insights on how steep new tariffs are hitting small business owners hard, creating a whirlwind of uncertainty. She discusses personal stories of entrepreneurs grappling with rising costs and the ripple effects on the overall economy. The conversation also touches on the controversial firings within the National Security Council, linked to far-right influences, raising questions about political stability and decision-making amid current tensions.
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Trade War Impacts
- Businesses are reacting to President Trump's expanded trade war and new tariffs.
- Small businesses feel caught in the middle of something they cannot control.
Unexpected Tariff Hikes
- Sarah Wells, a Virginia business owner, faced unexpected tariff increases on her Chinese-made goods.
- She had to pay $15,000 extra to release her goods due to the sudden tariff hikes.
Small Business Responses
- Small businesses are considering retrenching and scaling back operations due to tariffs.
- This includes reducing selection, halting hiring, and stopping advertising or new product development.