Senator Patty Murray and Business Leaders Caution Against Impact of Fluctuating Tariffs

# The Ripple Effect of Tariff Turmoil in Washington

## **Senator Patty Murray’s Call to Action**

The unpredictable federal trade policies are wreaking havoc on Washington businesses. U.S. Senator Patty Murray is championing congressional intervention to reclaim influence over tariffs.

Flanked by port workers, small business owners, and union leaders at Thompson Metal Fab and in downtown Vancouver, Senator Murray underscored the urgent need for Congress to assert its power. She stated passionately, “We have to take action as Congress to reassert our power — to make sure that tariffs are not impacting particularly our state but across the country.”

## **The Tariff Impact: More Than Just Numbers**

Despite a temporary pause on higher tariffs, a standard 10% tariff on most imports remains. Meanwhile, Chinese goods face tariffs as high as 245%. You can check out how neighboring states are affected through related resources, like [Oregon businesses bracing for economic upheaval](https://www.kgw.com/article/money/business/oregon-businesses-warn-tariffs-driving-up-costs-hurting-families/283-da0af893-9875-4d50-a3fe-44667d61e161).

Senator Murray warned that these tariffs are disrupting supply chains and shaking up local job markets. “If this continues long-term, we will lose our market share,” she predicted. “We will see a lot of our products go to British Columbia rather than fueling jobs here at this port.”

## **Local Businesses on the Brink**

John Rudi, CEO of Thompson Metal Fab, offered a frontline perspective. “It’s great for steel manufacturers; it’s not so great if you’re a manufacturer downstream,” Rudi lamented. His company, like many others, relies on consistent pricing to chart projects and sustain jobs for 200 union workers.

Planning and pricing complexities mount as buyers and suppliers grapple with fluctuating costs. Rudi highlighted, “That causes some challenges for us in terms of planning and understanding what’s out there to work on and how we’re going to manage our workforce and how we’re going to buy the steel, when we’re going to buy the steel.”

## **Small Retailers and Farmers Feel the Strain**

Murray spelled out similar hardships faced by farmers and small retailers. A local record store in Vancouver, dependent on vinyl pressed in the Czech Republic, grapples with price instability and looming supply disruptions.

“This isn’t just numbers on a spreadsheet; it’s about real people and their livelihoods,” Murray stated. Such uncertainties could domino into broader economic issues, echoing far beyond present times.

## **Legislative Paths Forward**

In response, Senator Murray is pushing forward legislation that would make congressional approval mandatory for any new tariffs exceeding 60 days. Yet, moving this bill requires more backing across party lines. “It’s going to impact people in ways that it’s really hard to see right now,” Murray concluded.

Seattleites and the rest of the state watch closely as policies unfold. The solutions proposed need bipartisan support to alleviate burgeoning trade tensions encircling Washington and beyond.