Donald Trump’s new tariffs are creating major headaches across the U.S. economy — and now even YouTube superstar and entrepreneur MrBeast is weighing in.
MrBeast Speaks Out on Unexpected Consequences
YouTube megastar and entrepreneur MrBeast, founder of the chocolate brand Feastables, recently criticized the new tariffs introduced under former President Donald Trump’s economic plan.
In a post on X, MrBeast pointed out that these tariffs, intended to push companies to manufacture more in the U.S., are actually doing the opposite for businesses like his.
“Ironically because of all the new tariffs it is now way cheaper to make our chocolate bars we sell globally NOT in America,”
he wrote. Feastables sources its cocoa internationally and manufactures products in both the U.S. and Peru. With U.S. tariffs raising costs by over 20% for certain imports, making chocolate in America and exporting it globally has become financially unviable.
Even though MrBeast already invests in ethical practices, like paying cocoa farmers a living wage and using fair-trade beans, the tariffs have added an unexpected burden.
“A random price hike was pretty brutal,” he said, expressing sympathy for small businesses that might not survive the pressure.
Small Businesses Struggle to Stay Afloat
MrBeast’s concerns highlight a broader trend: small businesses are being hit especially hard.
According to a report by NerdWallet, businesses that rely on imported goods or materials are facing rising costs across the board. They are caught between raising prices for customers or absorbing losses themselves — neither of which is sustainable long-term.
Framework, a San Francisco-based laptop maker, even paused U.S. sales of some products, citing a 32% tariff on parts imported from Taiwan. The company explained that continuing to sell these laptops domestically would cause significant financial losses, forcing them to rethink their strategy.
For many small business owners, the new tariffs feel less like protection and more like punishment.
Big Corporations Are Adjusting Too
Even large companies with global supply chains are feeling the pressure. Levi Strauss CEO Michelle Gass commented that any price increases would be “surgical,” but acknowledged that the company is actively working to minimize the damage caused by rising operational costs.
Big companies often have more flexibility — they can shift production lines, negotiate new contracts, or move operations abroad. But these adjustments take time and money, and they highlight how disruptive the new trade policies have been, even for market giants.
Tariffs’ Broader Economic Impact
The damage doesn’t stop at individual businesses.
Vanguard, one of the world’s largest asset management firms, recently downgraded its U.S. economic forecast for 2025. They now expect GDP growth to fall below 1% and inflation to rise to almost 4%.
These shifts are already rattling financial markets:
- The S&P 500 is down over 15% this year.
- The Nasdaq has fallen 21%.
According to analysts, tariffs are a major reason why investors are worried about a potential slowdown or even a recession.
Consumers Are Paying the Price
Ultimately, American consumers are the hidden victims of the tariff war.
The Tax Foundation estimates that the new tariffs are costing each U.S. household about $1,900 more per year. That means families are paying more for goods, even if their salaries haven’t changed — effectively cutting their standard of living.
When consumer spending drops — which is likely when people have less disposable income — it weakens the economy even further, creating a dangerous cycle.
Conclusion
MrBeast’s comments serve as a real-world warning that tariffs, while politically popular in some circles, have complicated consequences.
For companies like Feastables that are already investing in ethical sourcing and fair trade practices, the extra financial burden could discourage innovation, growth, and even staying operational in America.
As MrBeast said, “We’ll figure it out.”
But for thousands of smaller businesses without his resources, these new economic policies could indeed be the “nail in the coffin.”
Note: This article is based on information available as of April 9, 2025. The situation is dynamic, and one should stay informed through official channels and consult with financial advisors for personalized guidance.
Prepared by Navruzakhon Burieva
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