Tariffs Have Restaurant Industry on Edge

Just when we thought we had finally recovered from the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re facing new economic uncertainties in the form of tariffs the Trump administration may (or may not) be imposing on imports from other countries.

Whether you support the president as he tries to remake global trade or are expecting a recession sometime this year, there’s no question this “new world order” will have a huge impact on our businesses.

These on-again, off-again tariffs are, first of all, creating uncertainty as we try to plan our food and beverage budgets for 2025. As of this writing, a 25 percent tariff is still in place on such Mexican imports as tomatoes, avocados, raspberries, bell peppers, beef, beer and tequila. It’s how we have guacamole and tomatoes on salads in midwinter.

As far as Canadian imports, beef, seafood, cereals, legumes, alcohol and maple products are subject to the tariffs. But, as I said, that’s today. The tariff announcements have been so…