New Jersey Gubernatorial Candidate Supports Trump’s Tariff Strategy Amid Local Business Concerns
Republican Jack Ciattarelli, running for governor of New Jersey, has publicly supported former President Donald Trump’s tariff initiatives, despite their negative impact on some local businesses.
In a March 4 radio interview, Ciattarelli described Trump’s tariffs as a “grand experiment” aimed at “righting things,” suggesting they might achieve the president’s goal of holding foreign trade partners accountable.
“The president has told us that there’s going to be some pain, but he’s also told us that we’re not going to be pushed around … [and] not going to be exploited by foreign countries that don’t follow the rules and take advantage of our consumer markets,” Ciattarelli stated. “We’re just going to buckle up and see how things go.”
However, local businesses are feeling the strain. Less than a month later, the Associated Press reported that Fishtown, a Haddonfield seafood supplier, faced challenges due to the uncertainty over Canadian goods tariffs affecting oyster prices.
Fishtown’s owner, Bryan Szeliga, expressed his concerns, saying, “I’m a smaller business, and I’m not really staffed, equipped, and knowledgeable enough to know how to navigate tariffs.” He added, “It is very hard to have that level of uncertainty. Are the tariffs going to be in play, or are they not?”
To mitigate these challenges, Szeliga considered offering lower-quality oysters and, in some cases, paid the Canadian oyster tariff himself to keep prices stable for his customers.
Other New Jersey businesses also anticipate price increases due to tariffs. A Mendham car dealership projected a $10,000 to $20,000 price hike on much of its inventory due to tariffs on cars and parts. Similarly, liquor stores expect to raise prices due to tariffs on European wines and are hurriedly stocking up before the cost rise.
David Moore, co-founder of Moore Brothers Wine Company in Pennsauken, mentioned to WPVI News, “We don’t know what to expect, except we are doing everything we can to bring in enough wine to make sure at least in the short term we’re protected.”
While advocating for small businesses, Ciattarelli’s campaign website emphasizes “making New Jersey affordable” as a primary goal. He has also highlighted his support for small businesses on social media.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” Ciattarelli posted on April 26. “They create jobs, bring people together, and give our neighborhoods their unique character.”
There’s also a concern that New Jersey businesses may suffer if trading partners retaliate with tariffs. China and Mexico, significant trade partners for New Jersey, have already responded to Trump’s tariffs. China, for instance, has imposed a 125% tariff on American goods following a 145% tariff imposed by the U.S.
A spokesperson for Ciattarelli’s campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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