President Donald Trump's tariffs are causing significant headaches for some American small businesses, particularly those of the manufacturing sector. The tariffs were introduced in February after the US Supreme Court ruled against the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to levy global duties. Small businesses are dealing with cost increases, increased uncertainty, and a lack of domestically-produced alternatives for some affected items due to the tariffs. Justin Hartenstein, founder and COO at ORACLE Lighting, said tariffs can help level the playing field when foreign manufacturers benefit from government subsidies or regulatory environments that make it difficult for U.S. companies to compete. Bryan Wilson, president and CEO of automotive parts manufacturer Centerforce Clutches, said his company does not always have domestic alternatives to import and has seen domestic suppliers raise prices at nearly the same rate as the tariffs themselves. The White House has defended the tariffs, stating that they are most effective when applied to products that can be produced domestically.