iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Brandon Caples @bcaples.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

This businessman voted for Donald Trump, believing he would lower taxes. Trump raised taxes by a lot, and this guy had to cut his staff and raise his prices. Many such stories.

apnews.com

Trump’s tariffs are hurting American manufacturers instead of helping them

There’s a growing body of data showing the tariffs President Donald Trump said would help American factories are, in fact, squashing many of them.

200

Brandon Caples @bcaples.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Allen’s experience embodies a growing body of evidence that the tariffs that Trump said would help American factories are, in fact, squashing many of them. The problem could get worse as the administration scrambles to craft new tariffs to replace the emergency import taxes that the Supreme Court ruled illegal in February.

Allen said he ran his company at a loss in 2025 because of tariffs. His payroll has fallen to 140 workers from a peak of 205. To get by this year, he has hiked prices by 8% to 10%, even though that might mean fewer sales.

001