Members & Friends Salon: How Trump’s Tariffs Impact Brattleboro’s Small Businesses
December 3, 2025
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Our Members + Friends salons are informal, off-the-record conversations among local residents in which we discuss how recent developments in world affairs impact our experiences and connections. There are no presenters or audience; everyone sits in a circle and is given a chance to speak. Salons are open only to members and their friends. Refreshments will be served.
The Trump Administration’s tariffs policy, based on a rationale of boosting domestic industry, has placed high costs on goods coming from even the US’ closest trade partners. Keeping track of news on tariffs through the headlines can be confusing, with new tariffs being announced for political reasons on specific countries while negotiations continue behind the scenes. In particular, the de minimis exemption, whereby shipments under $800 could be imported without tariffs, was closed August 29, 2025.
At this Salon, we’ll move past the headlines to hear from Brattleboro’s local business owners about the real costs these tariffs incur for their operations. What kinds of burdens do the tariffs place on our local businesses? Do these costs encourage shifts to locally made products?
Thank you to those who’ve confirmed their attendance. Your involvement is essential to strengthening and expanding our local economy.
If you are a small business owner and want to be a part of this conversation, please contact WWAC board chair, Merrill Sovner, at chair@windhamworldaffairscouncil.org
An RSVP is appreciated
windhamworldaffairscouncil@gmail.com
Read Bob Audette’s 11/25 article in The Reformer: Welch says tariffs are killing Main Street
