News Summary
Senator Raphael Warnock toured Xocolatl Chocolate to address the impact of federal trade policies and tariffs on small businesses. The company’s co-owners highlighted how rising costs due to tariffs have strained their operations, revealing concerns over increased cocoa prices and financial uncertainty. Warnock’s engagement with local entrepreneurs underscores the need for cohesive trade policies that support Georgia’s small business landscape.
Atlanta – Senator Raphael Warnock visited Xocolatl Chocolate on Friday as part of his tour of Georgia small businesses during the August recess. Warnock’s mission was to discuss the impact of federal trade policies and tariffs on local entrepreneurs, like the co-owners of Xocolatl Chocolate, Matt Weyandt and Elaine Read.
Xocolatl Chocolate, established in 2014, specializes in crafting chocolate from bean to bar. The couple discovered the chocolate-making process while living in Costa Rica, and they’ve been dedicated to creating high-quality chocolate ever since. However, the current tariff situation has raised significant concerns for their operations. The owners noted that the unpredictability of these tariffs has created an environment of uncertainty that complicates their decision-making processes.
According to Weyandt, their chocolate production costs have increased substantially, with prices for cocoa more than doubling over the past two years. Previously, they were paying between $4,500 and $6,000 per ton for cocoa, but the imposition of tariffs has led to a hike in costs to approximately $14,000 per ton. This surge in prices is just one aspect of how tariffs are affecting small businesses, as rising costs for sugar and other essential ingredients have further hit their finances hard.
The tariffs, which were introduced during the Trump Administration to protect American manufacturing and reduce the trade deficit, have recently included a blanket tariff of 10% on goods from over 60 countries. Warnock pointed out that while large corporations might also feel the strain of these tariffs, it is small businesses, which constitute 99% of Georgia’s business landscape, that face the most significant challenges. Tariffs can effectively act as a tax on small businesses, squeezing their profit margins and complicating operational capabilities.
Before his visit to Xocolatl Chocolate, Warnock met with local farmers in Augusta and toured Three Bees Pecan Farm. There, the owners shared their challenges in competing in the international market due to tariff repercussions. Warnock critiqued the existing tariff policy, calling its incoherence and lack of a clear plan detrimental to the economic ecosystem in Georgia and beyond.
Despite the reviewed hardships, Weyandt and Read have remained committed to their vision of fostering a chocolate company that not only serves good products but also positively impacts their employees and the farmers who supply their raw materials. Throughout his visit, Warnock engaged in the chocolate-making process, demonstrating a hands-on approach to understanding the business environment faced by small entrepreneurs.
The ongoing uncertainty in tariff policies creates unpredictability for small businesses like Xocolatl, making it necessary for them to exercise caution in their purchasing decisions. Although some businesses have reported a boost in sales from sourcing materials domestically, many, including Xocolatl, have had to raise prices on products to maintain operations.
Warnock’s visit was aimed at shedding light on the broader challenges that small businesses are encountering in the current tariff climate, with hopes of influencing policy changes to better support these vital components of the economy. The critical discussions held during this engagement reflect a growing recognition of the need for a more cohesive approach to trade policies affecting small business operations across the state and the nation.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- 11Alive
- The Atlanta Voice
- WSBTV
- American Banker
- NBC News
- Wikipedia: Tariffs
- Google Search: Support Small Businesses Tariffs
- Google Scholar: Impact of Tariffs on Small Businesses
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Trade Policy
- Google News: Small Businesses Tariffs
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AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
