KQED's Forum California Businesses Thrown Into Uncertainty Again After Supreme Court Blocks Trump Tariffs
Feb 25, 2026
Idrees Kahloon, Atlantic staff writer on politics and trade; Nick Vyas, USC supply chain economist; Ari Hawkins, POLITICO trade reporter. They discuss the Supreme Court halt to sweeping tariffs and how California ports, farms, small businesses and consumers were affected. Conversation covers legal alternatives the administration might use, refund hurdles, supply chain and global political consequences.
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California Paid More Per Household From Tariffs
- California bore outsized tariff costs because its ports, large consumer base, and trade-related jobs concentrated exposure to import taxes.
- Nick Vyas estimated roughly $1,200 per household in tariff costs and highlighted San Pedro Bay handles 40% of U.S. goods, amplifying local impacts.
Small Seller in Santa Cruz Lost $6,000 To Tariffs
- Small business owners reported cutting inventory and paying large unexpected tariff bills, hurting operations and hiring.
- Bianca Blomquist described a Santa Cruz seller who ordered one-third of usual inventory and paid $6,000 extra in tariffs.
Use Local Small Business Centers For Tariff Help
- Small businesses should use free local resources to navigate tariff rules and refunds.
- Bianca Blomquist pointed listeners to Small Business Development Centers and smallbusinessmajority.org for advising and story-sharing with officials.