Hostage Family Representative

We're a small independent company that's been in business in Michigan, USA for 67 years. A lot of our parts that come in there are made of steel. So we've already been hit with the steel tariffs. But I think what was frightening today is that some of our components that come in, come in through Taiwan, and now there's a 32% tariff on Taiwan.

We're a small independent company that's been in business in Michigan, USA for 67 years. A lot of our parts that come in there are made of steel. So we've already been hit with the steel tariffs. But I think what was frightening today is that some of our components that come in, come in through Taiwan, and now there's a 32% tariff on Taiwan.

So in effect, when you couple the 32% with that 25% steel tariff, we could very well be looking at 57% tariff.

So in effect, when you couple the 32% with that 25% steel tariff, we could very well be looking at 57% tariff.

90% of our business is imported coming from LATAM countries. So most of the countries that we operate are going to be a 10% tariff. Food is already retailing at a ridiculously high price. And big box stores such as Costco, Walmart, I don't know how much more they can pass on these tariffs to the consumer. So in the end, it's going to come off our bottom line.

90% of our business is imported coming from LATAM countries. So most of the countries that we operate are going to be a 10% tariff. Food is already retailing at a ridiculously high price. And big box stores such as Costco, Walmart, I don't know how much more they can pass on these tariffs to the consumer. So in the end, it's going to come off our bottom line.

I understand what President Trump is trying to do. He's trying to bring back agriculture, food production, which has been very important. I think around the world, people have seen since COVID how we are so interconnected as a global economy.

I understand what President Trump is trying to do. He's trying to bring back agriculture, food production, which has been very important. I think around the world, people have seen since COVID how we are so interconnected as a global economy.

More than 60% of business comes from the US alone. So this is a big setback. Already there were a lot of challenges in terms of pricing. Our customers were finding it difficult to sell at large scale. So reducing price is an option, but we will have to shrink our margins also. This is very labor-intense business, textile and garment making.

More than 60% of business comes from the US alone. So this is a big setback. Already there were a lot of challenges in terms of pricing. Our customers were finding it difficult to sell at large scale. So reducing price is an option, but we will have to shrink our margins also. This is very labor-intense business, textile and garment making.

Something has to be done so that sectors like us should be incentivized to remain competitive.

Something has to be done so that sectors like us should be incentivized to remain competitive.

We have done our own sensitization. Many of them, all those people from the market, they came and they asked questions. I was there and I also made a presentation to them on the dangers of all these things.

We have done our own sensitization. Many of them, all those people from the market, they came and they asked questions. I was there and I also made a presentation to them on the dangers of all these things.

Our officers are already gathering intelligence. Once we are ready to strike, we will strike.

Our officers are already gathering intelligence. Once we are ready to strike, we will strike.

Our staff and our volunteers were offering first ecological support, first aid and other material support.

Our staff and our volunteers were offering first ecological support, first aid and other material support.

Our staff and our volunteers were offering first psychological support, first aid and other material support. Also, the Red Cross has delivered assistance to the local hospital in Kochani with blankets, bedding and wheelchairs. We have opened two lines, one line for first psychological support and as well as another line, SOS line, for donations.

Our staff and our volunteers were offering first psychological support, first aid and other material support. Also, the Red Cross has delivered assistance to the local hospital in Kochani with blankets, bedding and wheelchairs. We have opened two lines, one line for first psychological support and as well as another line, SOS line, for donations.