New policy shifts have unintended consequences for North Carolina families

By Algenon Cash President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed economic agenda – a blend of massive tariff hikes, mass deportations, and costly unfounded tax cuts – threatens to destabilize an already fragile U.S. economy.  For North Carolina, where agriculture, manufacturing, and hospitality are foundational industries, these policies risk devastating impacts on workers, families, and local businesses. While these proposals may appear bold, they are based on flawed assumptions and require immediate reevaluation. Fortunately, better solutions exist to address trade, immigration, and taxation challenges while safeguarding North Carolina’s economy. Trump’s proposed tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada would impose significant costs on imported goods, resulting in higher prices for consumers. According to a Tax Foundation report, the 2018 tariff increases cost American households an average of $1,277 per year. North Carolina, as a hub for furniture, textiles, and retail industries dependent on imports, would disproportionately feel these price hikes. Tariffs alone are not a sustainable solution to trade imbalances. Instead, the U.S. could adopt smarter trade policies, such as: Renegotiating trade deals to lower tariffs on essential goods while addressing intellectual property violations, cheap labor, and other issues obstructing fair competition. Investing in domestic manufacturing through improving supply chains, workforce development, and regulatory...