One Year of Trump's Tariffs: Houston Small Businesses Still Paying the Price

On April 8, 2026, Houston Public Media’s Hello Houston aired a revealing conversation with Dan Anthony, Executive Director of We Pay the Tariffs, who detailed the harsh realities small businesses face after a year under President Trump’s tariff policies. Anthony described how these tariffs have sparked economic turmoil — raising consumer prices, fueling retaliatory trade barriers, and enriching corporate cronies at the expense of everyday Americans.

The tariffs, initially pitched as a way to protect American jobs, have instead inflicted collateral damage on local economies. Houston’s small businesses, already squeezed by inflation and supply chain disruptions, have been forced to absorb higher costs or pass them on to customers. Anthony’s analysis underscores the failure of these trade wars to deliver on their promises, instead deepening economic instability and undermining working families.

The episode also spotlighted other pressing community issues. Chiqui Sanchez Kennedy of the Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project discussed their vital work providing free legal services to immigrants facing an increasingly hostile environment. Their upcoming fundraiser aims to sustain this critical support amid ongoing ICE enforcement and immigration crackdowns.

Further, guests from Camp For All shared how their nonprofit creates inclusive experiences for children and adults with disabilities and serious illnesses, highlighting grassroots resilience amid broader social challenges.

This hour of Hello Houston offers a snapshot of a city grappling with the fallout of national policies that prioritize political theater over economic and social wellbeing. From tariff-induced hardship to immigrant advocacy and community care, the stories reveal the urgent need for accountability and real solutions.