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Tariffs and boycotts and supply shortages, oh my!

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The Trump administration’s federal policies and steep tariffs are adversely impacting Leelanau companies that sell chocolate, coffee, fruit and wine. “Never in my 23 years as a small business owner have I felt obstructed by our national government in my ability to operate, manage, and grow my business as I do now under President Trump,” said Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate co-owner Jody Hayden. “Like many small businesses, we’re feeling the effects of a very uncertain and volatile global economy.” On its most recent shipment of bulk chocolate, valued at $171,500, the small business based in Empire paid a tariff of $24,725 after Trump raised duties on Ecuadorian products to 15 percent on July 31.

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Stepping on toes. Tariffs, boycott of U.S. goods, threaten Farmer Foot Drums existence

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Pete Farmer doesn’t project the air of someone who might lose his business—what he calls his “identity.” The founder of Farmer Foot Drums, who builds craftsman instruments from a pole barn at his and wife Kate’s property near Cedar, boasts a light, playful energy. He carries the buoyancy of a young athlete, even though the entrepreneur and musician turned 50 earlier this year. But Farmer was clear: the Trump administration’s tariffs on Chinese and Taiwanese goods—and the boycott of products made in the United States resulting from Trump’s policies and threats—might cost him his business.

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Resistance awakes as “Hands Off” rallies energize Northern Michigan against Trump

As many as 4,000 demonstrators rallied at the Traverse City Governmental Center on Saturday, April 5, as part of nationwide “Hands Off” protests to oppose the Trump administration’s aggressive policies on trade tariffs, cuts to social services, health programs and National Parks, and threats against immigrants and free speech. Hundreds more protested along state highways in towns including Benzonia and Suttons Bay. Huge crowds at the “Hands Off” rallies suggested that the resistance to Trump’s policies has awoken.

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Trump’s local impact

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This list of stories chronicles the impacts of the Trump administration’s policies on Leelanau County residents, businesses, tourism, agriculture and discourse—from tariffs to cuts to threats against immigrants.

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