Trump Demands Even Higher Tariffs Despite Small Business Backlash and Economic Pain

President Donald Trump made it clear Monday at a White House Small Business Summit that he wants tariffs to go up, not down. "You actually said thank you for the tariffs, but the tariffs really aren't high enough in my opinion," Trump told assembled small business owners during National Small Business Week.

This defiant stance comes amid mounting evidence that Trump's tariff policies are hurting the very businesses he claims to champion. Surveys from multiple sources paint a conflicted picture: while some small business owners express support for tariffs, a significant share report higher costs and operational challenges directly linked to these trade barriers.

A March survey by Echelon Insights for the Mike Pence-founded group Advancing American Freedom found 46% of small business owners oppose the tariffs, with 42% saying the duties have increased their supply costs. The National Federation of Independent Business's April poll showed a slight majority (53%) favor tariffs, yet 56% admitted the policy negatively impacted their operations, especially through higher inventory prices.

Even within Republican ranks, cracks are appearing. Ohio Republican Rep. Max Miller told the House Ways and Means Committee in April that tariffs are "not a net positive" for smaller firms unable to pass costs to consumers. Yet U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer defended the administration, citing a 24% drop in the goods trade deficit and record exports in early 2026.

Legal battles continue to hobble the tariff agenda. The Supreme Court struck down Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act for tariffs in February, forcing the government to refund about $166 billion to importers. Undeterred, Trump swiftly imposed new global tariffs under a different trade law section, which now face fresh court challenges.

Businesses across sectors have urged caution ahead of a May 5 hearing on planned tariff increases. Automaker Ford and Trek Bicycle warned against layering new tariffs atop existing ones, highlighting the risk of escalating costs for companies and consumers. Agricultural groups pressed for exemptions on key inputs.

The White House insists tariffs are essential tools for reshaping trade deals, lowering drug prices, and boosting domestic manufacturing. "President Trump has used tariffs to renegotiate broken trade deals, cut our trade deficit, and secure trillions in investments to reshore manufacturing," said White House spokesman Kush Desai.

But public opinion tells a different story. A Pew Research Center survey found 60% of Americans disapprove of tariff hikes, and a Center Square poll revealed 42% of voters believe consumers ultimately foot the bill. Economists warn that tariffs act like hidden tax increases, with estimates suggesting the average household could pay $600 to $800 more annually due to new duties.

Phillip Magness of the Independent Institute warns the economic pain may only deepen as the election nears. "Not all have made the connection yet that tariffs are tantamount to a tax increase on affected goods," he said. Trump's insistence on raising tariffs despite clear signs of harm underscores a reckless gamble with American jobs and wallets — one that small businesses and consumers may pay for long after the political theater ends.