Mark Looman: Small businesses struggle under US trade policies
This waterway crossing is the largest commercial trading route in the U.S., so it’s no wonder businesses in Michigan and across the country rely so heavily on our neighbors to the north as a trading partner.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The views and opinions expressed are those of the writer and not of Ottawa News Network.
On the other side of the Ambassador Bridge is America’s largest trading partner: Canada. This waterway crossing is the largest commercial trading route in the U.S., so it’s no wonder businesses in Michigan and across the country rely so heavily on our neighbors to the north as a trading partner.
Including my own, Michigan’s 980,000 small businesses create nearly 2 million jobs. They make up 99.6% of the businesses in the state.
But uncertainty in the trading environment caused by the Trump administration’s tariffs is driving up costs for businesses nationwide. I’m paying more than ever for my inventory, and now I’m faced with the painful decision to either eat the costs or pass them on to my customers.
Even worse, we are not making progress toward the Trump administration’s goal of promoting American exports. The trade war is only alienating our economic relationship with Canada. Before the tariffs, the Detroit–Windsor corridor saw a third of all trade between the U.S. and Canada. Overall, trade between the two nations was down about $47 billion. Trade crossing the Detroit River fell by as much as 7.6% in 2025 compared with 2024.
As a small business owner, I agree we should prioritize domestically made products. Michigan is the home of American manufacturing. However, our small businesses shouldn’t be paying such a steep price.
Our state has fought tirelessly to return from the 2008 recession and the bankruptcy of our largest city. That’s why Michigan’s congressional delegation must act quickly and reverse the harmful impacts of irrational trade policies on small business owners in the state before we are forced to close our doors. Time is running out to prioritize American businesses.
— Mark Looman is a U.S. military veteran and co-owner of Black Metal Apparel in Lowell.
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