Tariffs hurt Chicago traders' business

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01:59

The saying "From small beginnings, greater things have been produced" could be an important one to remember for the US anti-tariff group, Americans for Free Trade.

The newly formed coalition is comprised of thousands of businesses, farmers and manufacturers. They have launched a multi-million dollar campaign focusing on amplifying the voices of Americans harmed by the trade dispute.

But their first "town hall" meeting, held on the outskirts of Chicago, was by no means a dramatic eye-catching rally.

Not that the message conveyed was any less important.

The first "town hall" meeting held on the outskirts of Chicago. / CGTN Photo

Concerned business owners, trade organizations and farmers gathered in a factory car park to share tariff stories with the same theme. Each keynote speaker talked about how the tariffs threaten to undermine their business.

Under the banner, "Tariffs Hurt the Heartland," the group hopes the campaign will raise awareness around the issue of tariffs.

Brian Kuehl of "Farmers for Free Trade" believes tariffs have already hurt business, and they will hurt more businesses in the future.

The banner saying "Tariffs Hurt the Heartland" / CGTN Photo

"I think it is clear an impact is happening. Farmers are being squeezed, small business owners are being squeezed. There are no winners in a trade war. It is not good for China. It is not good for the United States, and the longer a trade war goes on, the bigger the impact for both countries," he said.

Bob Jones was among the speakers. He runs a company that specializes in outdoor leisure products.

He does not feel tariffs are the answer.

"There's a couple of major concerns. One, what is going to happen with prices. And we know that when there is a big increase in prices, that can really cool demand off. And people start pulling back. And that will slow the economy down and slow my business down," he explained.

Business owners, trade organizations and farmers gather in a factory car park to share tariff stories. / CGTN Photo

This first Town Hall event took place at a seafood processing facility. Sean O'Scannlain, the company's CEO and president, fears the tariffs could eventually lead to a slowdown in business and possible job losses.

"This is a tax. It will increase our costs. It will drive consumption of seafood down. If our overall demand decreases because our costs go up and we have less demand for our products then certainly we will have to lay people off," he said.

Organizers say this meeting is just the first step in increasing awareness around tariffs.

They say their support across the country is growing rapidly, just as the saying goes: "Small beginnings, greater things have been produced."