PPB October 2018

feed back Send feedback on articles in PPB or opinions on industry issues to JamesK@ppai.org . It may be time to vertically integrate domestically and/ or develop strategic alliances for vertical integration capability. Sales could even rise in the face of higher prices if custom products did not take 90 days to arrive. Domestic employment would certainly rise. Domestic production would be protected by tariffs on foreign goods. The President is upsetting the current order of things, but new trade laws upset those things decades ago and closed U.S. paper mills, textile mills, carpet mills, steel mills and many other manufacturers. Some families and companies lost everything, but we adapted. Nothing is perfect, but opportunity exists in all circumstances. As long as we have capitalism, we have freedom and motivation to innovate, adapt and prosper. SHERRIE RHOADS Vice President, Sales Manager Success Promotions, Inc. Royal Palm Beach, Florida PPAI 108896 Tariffs And Their Effects The September issue of PPB featured an article, “The Escalating Trade War,” on how industry companies are preparing to accommodate and manage the impact of tariffs on Chinese imports. Since the piece’s original publication in PPB Newslink , several industry professionals have shared their own perspectives on the tariffs and their effects on business. I imported an LED sign in June 2018. As a result, I have fielded a number of queries for LED signs. Our import duty was zero percent back in June. The manufacturer is already warning us to expect a 25 percent tariff. This was a business line worth pursuing. In a matter of two months, we are facing a 25 percent increase in cost that is man-made. I can understand natural disasters but the current tariff climate only impacts U.S. businesses. BETH MOODIE Prosanda Industrial Group Porter, Texas PPAI 733221 8 | OCTOBER 2018 |