Exploring the Ripple Effects of Trump’s Tariffs on a California Business Park
America’s trade wars have significantly impacted local businesses, forcing entrepreneurs like Robert Luna to raise prices on rustic wooden Mexican furniture sold from his crowded warehouse. Meanwhile, Eddie Cole is scrambling to design new products to compensate for lost sales on his Chinese-made motorcycle accessories.
Further down the block, Luis Ruiz has curtailed plans to add two imported molding machines to his small plastics factory. “I voted for him,” said Ruiz, CEO of Valencia Plastics, referring to President Donald Trump. “But I didn’t vote for this.”
These three businesses are situated in Rye Canyon, a lushly landscaped California business park that epitomizes the globalized American economy. Here, tariffs are a hot topic, with experiences varying as widely as the diverse businesses occupying the 3.1 million square feet of offices, warehouses, and factories.
Tenants range from a company providing specially equipped cars for film crews to a dance school and a business selling Chinese-made LED lights. Even a Walmart Supercenter is located nearby. While some businesses have suffered losses, others have thrived under the current tariff regime.
Rye Canyon is approximately an hour-and-a-half drive from the bustling Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, making it a prime location for globally connected enterprises. However, the current climate of global trade has become increasingly precarious.
The average effective tariff rate on imports to the U.S. has surged to nearly 17%—up from just 2.5% before Trump took office, marking the highest level since 1935. Few countries have escaped the tariff onslaught, with Cuba being an exception due to existing trade barriers.
White House spokesman Kush Desai stated that President Trump is leveling the playing field for businesses by addressing unfair trading practices through tariffs and reducing cumbersome regulations.
‘We Had To Get Creative’ to Offset Trump’s Tariffs
Rye Canyon tenants may soon receive clarity on the tariff situation. The U.S. Supreme Court could rule on the constitutionality of President Trump’s emergency tariffs, which have generated nearly $150 billion under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. If the tariffs are struck down, the administration may be required to refund all or part of that amount to importers.
For some, the impact of tariffs has been painful but short-lived. Harlan Kirschner, who imports about 30% of the beauty products he distributes, noted that prices spiked during the initial months of the Trump administration’s tariff implementation. “It’s now baked into the cake,” he said, adding that no one discusses those price increases anymore.
For Ruiz, the effects of tariffs have been more prolonged. Valencia Plastics produces large-mouth containers for protein powders sold across the U.S. and Canada. Before the trade war, Ruiz planned to invest over half a million dollars in two new machines. However, the tariffs made these Chinese-made machines unaffordable. He has since negotiated a plan with the manufacturer to offset the added costs by opting for smaller machines and allowing the Chinese producer to showcase their products in his factory.
“We had to get creative,” he said. “We can’t wait for (Trump) to leave. I’m not going to let the guy decide how we’re going to grow.”
‘I’m Mad at Him Now’
While some businesses have found ways to adapt, others have faced significant challenges. Greg Waugh, Ruiz’s former neighbor, has benefited from the tariffs, as they have allowed his small padlock factory to compete more effectively. He moved to a larger space outside Rye Canyon just before the trade war began and has seen increased inquiries from U.S. buyers seeking domestic products.
“I think tariffs give us a cushion we need to finally grow and compete,” said Waugh, president and CEO of Pacific Lock.
In contrast, Cole, a former pro motorcycle racer turned entrepreneur, has experienced only downsides from the tariffs. He started his motorcycle accessories company in his garage in 1976 and later established a factory in the area. With 95% of his products sourced from China, Cole estimates he has paid “hundreds of thousands” in tariffs. “I’m mad at him now,” he said, referring to Trump.
Cole even reached out to the White House, expressing concerns about how tariffs disrupt small businesses. He included a photo of a motorcycle stand made for Eric Trump’s family, hoping to illustrate the impact of these policies.
Meanwhile, Robert Luna is not waiting for tariffs to change. His company, DeMejico, founded by his Mexican immigrant parents, produces traditional-style furniture, including hefty dining tables priced up to $8,000. Facing 25% tariffs on wooden furniture and 50% on steel accents, he has raised prices by 20% on some items. To mitigate further price hikes, he is collaborating with a Vietnamese producer to create a new line of affordable furniture.
“My thing is mere survival,” he said. “That’s the goal.”
(Reporting by Timothy Aeppel; additional reporting by David Lawder. Editing by Anna Driver and Dan Burns)
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Topics
California
America’s trade wars have significantly impacted local businesses, forcing entrepreneurs like Robert Luna to raise prices on rustic wooden Mexican furniture sold from his crowded warehouse. Meanwhile, Eddie Cole is scrambling to design new products to compensate for lost sales on his Chinese-made motorcycle accessories.
Further down the block, Luis Ruiz has curtailed plans to add two imported molding machines to his small plastics factory. “I voted for him,” said Ruiz, CEO of Valencia Plastics, referring to President Donald Trump. “But I didn’t vote for this.”
These three businesses are situated in Rye Canyon, a lushly landscaped California business park that epitomizes the globalized American economy. Here, tariffs are a hot topic, with experiences varying as widely as the diverse businesses occupying the 3.1 million square feet of offices, warehouses, and factories.
Tenants range from a company providing specially equipped cars for film crews to a dance school and a business selling Chinese-made LED lights. Even a Walmart Supercenter is located nearby. While some businesses have suffered losses, others have thrived under the current tariff regime.
Rye Canyon is approximately an hour-and-a-half drive from the bustling Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, making it a prime location for globally connected enterprises. However, the current climate of global trade has become increasingly precarious.
The average effective tariff rate on imports to the U.S. has surged to nearly 17%—up from just 2.5% before Trump took office, marking the highest level since 1935. Few countries have escaped the tariff onslaught, with Cuba being an exception due to existing trade barriers.
White House spokesman Kush Desai stated that President Trump is leveling the playing field for businesses by addressing unfair trading practices through tariffs and reducing cumbersome regulations.
‘We Had To Get Creative’ to Offset Trump’s Tariffs
Rye Canyon tenants may soon receive clarity on the tariff situation. The U.S. Supreme Court could rule on the constitutionality of President Trump’s emergency tariffs, which have generated nearly $150 billion under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. If the tariffs are struck down, the administration may be required to refund all or part of that amount to importers.
For some, the impact of tariffs has been painful but short-lived. Harlan Kirschner, who imports about 30% of the beauty products he distributes, noted that prices spiked during the initial months of the Trump administration’s tariff implementation. “It’s now baked into the cake,” he said, adding that no one discusses those price increases anymore.
For Ruiz, the effects of tariffs have been more prolonged. Valencia Plastics produces large-mouth containers for protein powders sold across the U.S. and Canada. Before the trade war, Ruiz planned to invest over half a million dollars in two new machines. However, the tariffs made these Chinese-made machines unaffordable. He has since negotiated a plan with the manufacturer to offset the added costs by opting for smaller machines and allowing the Chinese producer to showcase their products in his factory.
“We had to get creative,” he said. “We can’t wait for (Trump) to leave. I’m not going to let the guy decide how we’re going to grow.”
‘I’m Mad at Him Now’
While some businesses have found ways to adapt, others have faced significant challenges. Greg Waugh, Ruiz’s former neighbor, has benefited from the tariffs, as they have allowed his small padlock factory to compete more effectively. He moved to a larger space outside Rye Canyon just before the trade war began and has seen increased inquiries from U.S. buyers seeking domestic products.
“I think tariffs give us a cushion we need to finally grow and compete,” said Waugh, president and CEO of Pacific Lock.
In contrast, Cole, a former pro motorcycle racer turned entrepreneur, has experienced only downsides from the tariffs. He started his motorcycle accessories company in his garage in 1976 and later established a factory in the area. With 95% of his products sourced from China, Cole estimates he has paid “hundreds of thousands” in tariffs. “I’m mad at him now,” he said, referring to Trump.
Cole even reached out to the White House, expressing concerns about how tariffs disrupt small businesses. He included a photo of a motorcycle stand made for Eric Trump’s family, hoping to illustrate the impact of these policies.
Meanwhile, Robert Luna is not waiting for tariffs to change. His company, DeMejico, founded by his Mexican immigrant parents, produces traditional-style furniture, including hefty dining tables priced up to $8,000. Facing 25% tariffs on wooden furniture and 50% on steel accents, he has raised prices by 20% on some items. To mitigate further price hikes, he is collaborating with a Vietnamese producer to create a new line of affordable furniture.
“My thing is mere survival,” he said. “That’s the goal.”
(Reporting by Timothy Aeppel; additional reporting by David Lawder. Editing by Anna Driver and Dan Burns)
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Topics
California
