Chadwick is now forced to radically reevaluate his approach as former President Donald Trump runs on a platform of imposing a 10%–20% border tax, or tariff, on all products entering the nation, with the rate rising to 60% for items from China.
The 66-year-old has been considering closing his Wyoming Traders company, which employs 16 people, and retiring completely, or relocating the production of his goods, such as canvas jackets and wool shirts with snaps, to India or Pakistan.
Chadwick referred to tariffs as a “tax on the American people” and cautioned that it would be unfeasible for a business such as his to establish a factory in the United States.
However, as he gets ready to vote, he anticipates putting aside his concerns about tariffs in favor of other issues, like opposition to abortion and illegal immigration.
Chadwick’s willingness to overlook Trump’s tariff stance is indicative of the conflicting forces influencing American politics.
America was once a global champion of free trade, but the Republican agenda has caused it to embrace measures that are intended to preserve
