President Trump’s tariffs create turmoil for businesses in Inland Northwest | News [Video]

President Donald Trump’s newly implemented tariffs on Canada and Mexico are putting some businesses in the Inland Northwest into a state of uncertainty.

“It is devastating,” said Dr. Ed Schweitzer, the founder of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) in Pullman. “It’s, I dare say, even a bit emotional.”

For Dr. Schweitzer, the decision to impose these tariffs feels like a move against our economic freedoms.

SEL has partners in close to 200 countries and serves more than 100,000 people through the manufacturing of electronics.

“Every day we have truckloads of equipment crossing the border to Canada, Mexico, back and forth each way,” Schweitzer said. 

According to Trade Partnership Worldwide, the estimated cost of tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China is $412 million in Idaho and could top even $4 billion in Washington.

For Spokane company Bouten Construction, the impacts of these tariffs are already being felt with increased prices for goods used on projects.

“We’re …