Following the Supreme Court’s recent decision to strike down tariffs implemented during the Trump administration, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, held a virtual press conference with Massachusetts small business owners to discuss the ruling’s impact.
Markey criticized former President Trump’s response to the Supreme Court’s decision and highlighted how small businesses have been affected by these tariffs. “For the last year, Trump has created Pain on Main with an affordability crisis plaguing communities across the country. At the heart of it are Trump’s tariff taxes. The Supreme Court did what was right and struck down these illegal tariffs. Trump said the small businesses who brought this case hate our country. He’s wrong. Small businesses are our country,” said Markey. “I will keep fighting until every cent illegally collected from small businesses, consumers, and families in Massachusetts and across the country has been returned.”
Several Massachusetts business owners spoke about their experiences under the tariffs and their reactions to the court’s decision. Shayna Ferullo, owner of Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters, stated: “In my company, we’ve been running a really tight ship. The Supreme Court decision is really welcome news for us—firstly as Americans, because democracy is working and the three coequal branches are holding up—but also to know that we’re finally going to get some relief, and possibly even refunds which will go back to my employees and into my business. Thank you, Senator Markey, for working tirelessly on this issue. We are very happy to see this result from the Supreme Court.”
Dahlia Rizk, owner of Buckle Me Baby Coats in North Andover, described how her business would benefit: “I have car seat blankets arriving into LAX, and $9,000 in extra tariffs will not have to be paid due to the Supreme Court’s ruling—that money is going right back into inventory so that next winter I have the coats and blankets parents need. Small businesses can’t survive when rules change overnight, and I believe that the court got it right by supporting us. American families will be safer because of it, and I am hopeful that this is the beginning of changes that we need to help American families again.”
Lisa Mullan, owner of Uwila Warrior in Boston Massachusetts, discussed how her company absorbed significant cost increases: “Behind every one of these tariff decisions are real people, real jobs, and real small businesses, and we’re just trying to survive,” she said. “In 2025, tariffs increased by 30% on half of our silk production and another 20% on our seamless collection, and these are all costs that Uwila Warrior absorbed entirely, directly impacting our bottom line. Instead of focusing on growing our team, on expanding our assortment, and on reaching new customers, we were forced to redirect an enormous amount of time, money, and energy just navigating the constantly shifting tariff rules. Recouping the tariffs is a huge, important step towards repairing the damage.”
Nicole Obi, President & CEO of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts added: “The Supreme Court’s decision is welcome news for small businesses that have absorbed significant costs over the past year,” she said. “Massachusetts businesses paid an estimated $734 million in tariffs in 2025 and many small firms also faced the added burden of uncertainty, unpredictable pricing, delayed contracts, and stalled investment decisions. We are grateful to Senator Markey for standing with small businesses and for his ongoing efforts to ensure that trade policy is lawful, transparent, and centered on economic stability for small employers and entrepreneurs.”
Senator Markey has previously introduced legislation aimed at exempting small businesses from certain tariffs while advocating for refund processes for those affected by them.
The Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee plays a role in informing national fiscal priorities through its work with Congress (official website). It provides comprehensive policy options regarding federal budget components (official website) as well as nonpartisan budgetary analysis via oversight responsibilities (official website). Established through legislation in 1974 (official website), it contributes resolutions relevant to congressional budgeting processes (official website).
Senator Lindsey Graham currently serves as chairman while Jeff Merkley holds ranking member status within this committee (official website).
###
