Senator Hassan Confronts Trump Tariff Fallout Crushing Small Manufacturers in Exeter

In Exeter, New Hampshire, Senator Maggie Hassan took a direct stand against the economic chaos unleashed by President Trump’s tariff policies. Visiting Mace Machine, a small manufacturer producing specialized components for electronics, aerospace, and national defense, Hassan heard firsthand how the administration’s tariffs have driven up input costs and squeezed already tight profit margins.

“Small businesses like Mace Machine are at the core of American manufacturing,” Hassan said. “But President Trump’s reckless tariffs have created unnecessary burdens for small manufacturers by hiking costs for the inputs that they rely on.” Her message was clear: the administration must reverse course and collaborate with Congress to support—not sabotage—the backbone of the U.S. economy.

This visit coincided with the release of a new report from the Joint Economic Committee – Minority, which Hassan leads as Ranking Member. The report details the damaging impact of Trump’s trade wars on small manufacturers nationwide. Despite Trump’s 2017 promise to revive American manufacturing, the reality is grim: over 100,000 manufacturing jobs have disappeared, and small manufacturers face sharp declines in profitability.

The tariffs, intended to protect American industry, have instead backfired—triggering retaliatory tariffs from trade partners, raising costs for essential materials, and disrupting supply chains. For companies like Mace Machine, which contribute to critical sectors including national defense, these policies threaten not only economic viability but also national security.

Senator Hassan’s visit and the report highlight a broader pattern of economic mismanagement under the Trump administration. The tariffs have become a symbol of cronyism and authoritarian overreach, with ordinary workers and small business owners bearing the brunt of the fallout.

As the administration doubles down on its trade war tactics, the call grows louder for bipartisan action to undo the damage. Small manufacturers power the economy and strengthen the nation’s security—yet they are being left to shoulder the costs of a reckless trade agenda.

It is time for accountability and a return to policies that genuinely support American workers and businesses, not hollow promises and self-defeating tariffs. Senator Hassan’s intervention shines a light on the urgent need to end this economic assault before more damage is done.