Bryan Barnett, the Republican mayor of Rochester Hills, Michigan, as well as that state’s congressional delegation, is readying themselves for something big. The President of the United States is going to announce major new tariffs on imported goods in just a matter of days. Rochester Hills, a suburb just outside of Detroit, would feel the effects of these tariffs in a number of ways. Local leaders and businesses should rightfully be very worried about the potential fallout.
The anticipated announcement, reported by CNN, aims to impose broad tariffs that could affect a wide array of imported products. As these tariffs come to fruition, Mayor Barnett is actively discussing what these changes might mean for his city and its economy. He understands that Rochester Hills can’t afford to just import everything. This dependency impacts every industry from the manufacturing sector to the retail sector as is common in most U.S.
Mayor de Blasio wants to underscore the potentially severe consequences of these tariffs. Local businesses dependent on foreign imports may be disproportionately harmed. He cautioned that increased costs from tariffs would lead to increased consumer prices. This underinvestment will ultimately choke off long-term economic prosperity in the region. Barnett’s chief concern was damage the CEOs’ proposal would cause to businesses. If they are unable to absorb these costs, then they will have to increase prices for their customers or cut worker hours and pay.
And that’s the case for Rochester Hills, located within the greater Detroit metropolitan area, one of Michigan’s economic centers. The city prides itself on having a robustly diverse economy. One-fifth of area residents are employed in manufacturing industries that may be affected if trade policies change. Barnett knows first-hand how critical it is to defend local jobs. He focuses on making sure that the community has affordable access to goods.
Whatever is ultimately announced, in the lead-up Barnett has been determined to ensure Rochester Hills’ residents’ interests have been strongly represented. He has called on local leaders and businesses to prepare for the potential consequences of these tariffs and to engage in conversations about how best to navigate the changing landscape.
