Following a recent Supreme Court decision that struck down tariffs imposed during the Trump administration, Senator Edward J. Markey, ranking member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, held a virtual press conference with Massachusetts small business owners to discuss the impact of the ruling.
Markey criticized former President Donald Trump’s response to the court’s decision. “For the last year, Trump has created Pain on Main with an affordability crisis plaguing communities across the country. At the heart of it are Trump’s tariff taxes. The Supreme Court did what was right and struck down these illegal tariffs. Trump said the small businesses who brought this case hate our country. He’s wrong. Small businesses are our country,” said Markey. “I will keep fighting until every cent illegally collected from small businesses, consumers, and families in Massachusetts and across the country has been returned.”
Shayna Ferullo, owner of Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters, commented on how her business has managed costs under changing economic conditions: “In my company, we’ve been running a really tight ship,” she said. “The Supreme Court decision is really welcome news for us—firstly as Americans, because democracy is working and the three coequal branches are holding up—but also to know that we’re finally going to get some relief, and possibly even refunds which will go back to my employees and into my business. Thank you, Senator Markey, for working tirelessly on this issue. We are very happy to see this result from the Supreme Court.”
Dahlia Rizk, owner of Buckle Me Baby Coats in North Andover, described how her business would benefit directly from not having to pay additional tariffs: “I have car seat blankets arriving into LAX, and $9,000 in extra tariffs will not have to be paid due to the Supreme Court’s ruling—that money is going right back into inventory so that next winter I have the coats and blankets parents need,” Rizk said. “Small businesses can’t survive when rules change overnight, and I believe that the court got it right by supporting us. American families will be safer because of it, and I am hopeful that this is the beginning of changes that we need to help American families again.”
Lisa Mullan, owner of Uwila Warrior in Boston Massachusetts explained how increased tariffs affected her operations: “Behind every one of these tariff decisions are real people, real jobs, and real small businesses, and we’re just trying to survive,” she said. “In 2025, tariffs increased by 30% on half of our silk production and another 20% on our seamless collection, and these are all costs that Uwila Warrior absorbed entirely, directly impacting our bottom line. Instead of focusing on growing our team, on expanding our assortment, and on reaching new customers, we were forced to redirect an enormous amount of time, money,and energy just navigating the constantly shifting tariff rules. Recouping the tariffs is a huge important step towards repairing the damage.”
Nicole Obi serves as president & CEO of The Black Economic Council of Massachusetts; she highlighted broader effects felt by local firms: “The Supreme Court’s decision is welcome news for small businesses that have absorbed significant costs over the past year,” Obi stated.“Massachusetts businesses paid an estimated $734 million in tariffs in 2025 and many small firms also facedthe added burdenof uncertainty unpredictable pricing delayed contractsand stalled investment decisions.We are gratefulto Senator Markeyfor standingwithsmallbusinessesandfor his ongoing effortsto ensurethat trade policyis lawful transparentand centeredon economic stabilityforsmall employersand entrepreneurs.”
Senator Markey has advocated for relief measures for American small businesses affected by previous economic policies tied to tariffs.He introduced legislation such as The Small Business RELIEF Act aimed at exempting smaller enterprises from certain tariff requirements,and called repeatedly for processes ensuring refunds.Markey also released reports detailing financial impacts at both nationaland state levels,and corresponded with federal agencies urging equitable refund procedures.
The Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee plays a role in providing informed analysis about fiscal priorities according to its official website. It offers Congress comprehensive policy options related to federal budget components as noted online, contributes through resolutions andreconciliation instructions per committee information,and provides nonpartisan oversight via analysis conducted through agencies like The Congressional Budget Office according tothe committee site. Established bythe Congressional Budgetand Impoundment Control Actof1974,the committeefeatures Lindsey Grahamas chairmanand Jeff Merkleyas ranking memberper current listings.
