Chicago (WLS) – Bill Cooper was provided with a dream, and the designs included in 1997.
Within nearly 30 years since then, the furniture dealer, who sells municipalities, hospitals and educational areas, has to overcome the reducing economy, stagnation and changing industry.
ABC7 Chicago now flows 24/7. Click here to watch
Now, he says, he is preparing for the influence of the most severe economic changes in the Trump administration ever: the definitions that can put his small business at work.
“So, as you know, I think it may be what definitions are supposed to do is to achieve more revenues. But this is not necessarily what he does. It hurts me a lot of people.”
The recent repetition of politics mainly imposes definitions on almost every country that trades with it.
Chicago's employer says he may have to raise his prices, but he adds that if his buyers do not pay the increase, he is not sure that he is able to stay if he is forced to eat the additional cost.
See also It does not threaten the uncertainty in raising the prices of medicines and stopping medical innovation, and warns experts
And nine times out of 10, they will say, “You know what? “Like, for example, with this one customer, this is just” removed it from the quotation at the present time. “This, as you know, money from my pocket, because they took off the quote,” said Cooper.
The tariff is a tax imposed on imported goods. The cost is paid by the importer and is often transferred to the consumer.
Some economists say the definitions will have a particular negative impact on black families and small companies in color societies.
According to the Brookings Non -Profit Foundation, in Chicago, black -owned companies represent 2.8 % of the total employer companies in the city. The number does not represent a share proportional to the black population.
Data from 2020 statistics show that African Americans make up about 28 % of Chicago population.
Read more How can Trump's tariff can contribute a percent day
“I think the risks are real.”
But Thomas's message is, “Don't be afraid.”
While teaching practical business solutions in an environment based on faith, the Christian School for its partner works has established to try to help isolate small companies in black and brown neighborhoods from the shock of tariffs and economic certainty.
“Because of our international presence, we now have an opportunity to create platforms, such as a global partner network, where we can develop relations in Nigeria, Tanzania and South Africa, well, we can start looking at other channels of suppliers and distribution.”
Despite the best efforts made to protect companies from economic uncertainty, business owners such as Cooper hate thinking about what happens after that if the tariff war continues.
“I wasn't thinking about it far away. But if so, it might be destroyed for everyone,” Cooper said.
Publishing Rights © 2025 WLS-TV. All rights reserved.
