Moorhead brewery owner wants more stability, predictability amid rising tariffs

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) — Rising tariffs over the last year have affected how one brewery owner has run his business. And he says there needs to be more stability and predictability moving forward.

“When we don’t have those things, it makes it a lot harder for us to make good, solid business decisions. We cannot absorb hits before taking risks on unstable ground,” said Sean Syverson, Owner of Swing Barrel Brewing Company.

In the last year, one of Minnesota’s biggest exporters, Canada, has faced up to 35% tariffs on a majority of their goods. But now a new threat looms as President Trump announced a 100% tariff on all goods from Canada. Which leads to concerns about goods such as steel and aluminum.

“What’s happening right now with the tariffs is really concerning for our small businesses, because they don’t have, like a big business might have, the kind of reserves to deal with the extra expenses. And they’re kind of road kill when it comes to these tariffs,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

Customers at Swing Barrel Brewing Company may have seen an increase in prices on many of their beverages. Syverson said the biggest increase they’ve had to make was fifty cents. But he hopes things will change as the House has blocked the decision to raise tariffs.

“If there’s a common stable footing, we’re able to plan. And we can plan for you know, taking small hits or something going wrong. But it makes it more difficult to plan for those things and plan for your future when you’re just very uncertain as to what direction it’s going to go,” said Syverson.

Klobuchar said there is still progress that needs to be made.

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to release their opinions on the tariffs by the end of the week.