Majority of small businesses report negative effects from tariffs

Many small businesses surveyed by the NFIB report suffering negative consequences, while pressure mounts to expedite customs duty refunds.

Negocios Now Editorial Staff

Slightly more than half (56%) of surveyed small businesses reported that tariffs negatively impact their operations—including 16% who noted a significant negative impact. In contrast, only 8% reported positive effects, while 35% stated they have experienced no impact thus far, according to a recent survey by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

The poll reflects an uneven landscape within the U.S. small business sector, where tariff policy continues to generate mixed effects and a high degree of uncertainty.

Impact on Costs, Profits, and Supply Chains

Among the businesses negatively affected, 78% reported an increase in the cost of supplies or inventory. Furthermore, 58% indicated lower profit margins, while 43% noted supply chain disruptions stemming from changes in trade policy.

These results demonstrate that, although many small businesses do not participate directly in international trade, they do indirectly absorb the costs of tariffs through their suppliers and higher prices.

Divided Sentiment Regarding Tariffs

Despite the adverse effects reported, sentiment regarding tariff policy remains divided. 53% of respondents expressed some degree of support for the new tariffs, while 29% oppose them and 19% remain neutral. This distribution reflects a heterogeneous reality, varying according to each business’s level of exposure to foreign trade.

Uncertainty About the Future

Among businesses that have not yet been affected, 51% do not anticipate any impact in the coming months, while 36% remain unsure—underscoring an environment of persistent uncertainty regarding the future trajectory of trade policy.

In conjunction with the study’s findings, the NFIB has called upon the federal administration to improve the efficiency of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) online tariff refund portal, which is designed to allow businesses to recoup costs associated with trade tariffs. The organization also urged large companies to share these refunds with small business suppliers that may have indirectly absorbed a portion of the increased costs.

“Small businesses deserve a simple opportunity to claim their fair share of tariff refunds,” stated Brad Close, President of the NFIB. ​​“Large companies are already positioned to claim rebates. Main Street should have the same opportunity to recoup passed-on costs.”

The NFIB report is released amidst heightened scrutiny regarding the effects of tariff policy on the U.S. economy. While the government maintains tariff rebate mechanisms through CBP, business associations warn that small businesses face greater administrative barriers in accessing these benefits.

The NFIB also noted that its Legal Center has published guides and informational webinars to help business owners understand how the refund system works, as well as the recent implications of court rulings related to tariffs.

Taken together, the data reflects a scenario in which small businesses remain particularly sensitive to changes in trade policy—both due to rising costs and the complexity involved in accessing compensation mechanisms.

Read article in Spanish / Leer artículo en español: https://negociosnow.com/mayoria-de-pequenas-empresas-reporta-efectos-negativos-por-los-aranceles/