Nicholas Gilbert, a dairy farmer running Adon Farms in upstate New York, was stunned when a regular shipment of cow feed from Canada arrived with an unexpected price tag. The feed, typically part of his farm’s routine operations, cost him an additional $2,200 due to new tariffs imposed under the Trump administration.
“I’m not even sure it’s legal,” Gilbert told The Atlantic. “We contracted for the price on delivery. If your price of fuel goes up or your truck breaks down, that’s not my problem. That’s what the contract’s for.”
But to Gilbert’s frustration, the tariff was entirely legal. Like many American business owners, he had believed that tariffs on imports would be absorbed by the foreign exporters. In reality, the cost was charged by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and passed directly to him — not the Canadian seller.
“We’re taking that right on the chin,” Gilbert said, noting that the financial burden doesn’t stop at cow feed. The same tariffs now apply to fertilizer and farming equipment he relies on to run his operation.
His story quickly caught attention online, especially on Reddit’s r/Canada forum, where Canadian users reacted with little sympathy. One comment summed up the tone: “How can an adult believe that the president of one country could force an exporter in another country to pay a tax on his or her behalf? How would that even work?”
The confusion is part of a broader problem. As Trump’s international trade policies evolve, American farmers, manufacturers, and consumers are increasingly feeling the impact. While tariffs are often described as tools to protect domestic industries, the costs are frequently passed on to U.S. buyers.
Gilbert’s case is just one example of how the trade war is reshaping economic realities across various sectors. Dairy farms, which already operate on tight margins, now face unexpected and steep increases in operational costs. But the ripple effect goes much further.
Economists warn that these tariffs are contributing to broader inflationary pressure. The average American household is projected to spend an additional $3,800 annually on everyday items such as groceries, clothing, vehicles, and furniture. In the auto industry alone, prices are expected to rise between 15 to 20 percent as manufacturers adjust to new import fees.
Meanwhile, industries like construction and manufacturing are also seeing surging material costs, placing further strain on businesses and driving up prices for consumers. While the full national economic impact remains to be seen, some analysts believe the early signs of a recession are already visible in regions heavily dependent on cross-border trade.
According to The Atlantic, that recession may have already arrived in areas near the Canadian border, where reliance on affordable Canadian goods is high. For small business owners like Gilbert, it’s not just about one shipment. It’s a sign that the system they’ve depended on for years is changing — and not in their favor.
As the debate around tariffs continues, stories like Gilbert’s serve as a reminder of how global trade policies play out in everyday life. The disconnect between political messaging and economic reality is leaving many small business owners caught off guard and paying the price.
