A 10% tariff on Chinese goods is expected to go into effect Tuesday, while the 25% tariff’s for Mexico and Canada will be delayed for one month.
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Democratic leaders spoke out Monday against the Trump Administration’s proposed tariff hikes.
Now there’s a pause on both Canada and Mexico’s tariff’s with promises of increased border security but business owners say this delay doesn’t mean business as usual in San Antonio.
The owner of Alamo Candy Corporation located on Hildebrand Avenue, Rick Samame told KENS 5 prices are rising despite the delay and a few extra dollars at the register might be unavoidable as his vendors prices won’t budge.
“You want it or not, that’s what they keep on telling us,” Samame said.
He said vendors are charging him 20 to 33% more on most items like piñatas, soda and Mexican candy. Samame added his vendors told him they’re going to go up again.
He said they’re doing so in preparation for the impending tariffs and higher prices with gas.
“If the gas and diesel costs more that means anything that gets shipped is going to cost more,” Texas Senator Jose Menendez said on the steps of San Antonio City Hall.
Democratic leaders in San Antonio addressed the impact on families, workers and business owners like Samame.
“San Antonio businesses import roughly 207,000 worth of goods every 30 days,” Mayor Ron Nirenburg said.
“If it goes up way too high then I will decrease on the order,” Semame said.
Semame will have to adapt in order to keep his prices low enough to help his customers. His one ask from this administration is:
“Work with it but don’t go too high and maybe it will work out for all of us,” he said.
A 10% tariff on Chinese goods is expected to go into effect tomorrow, while the 25% tariff’s for Mexico and Canada will be delayed for one month.