Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Rising frustration over the Trump administration’s tariffs—including the negative impact on working families, rural communities, and small business owners—is making headlines across the country. These stories echo the findings of Somos Votantes’ recent national poll of Latino voters, which revealed significant economic anxieties and increasing disapproval of Donald Trump’s leadership and his handling of the economy.

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‍“Our polling found that Latinos’ number one priority is the economy,” said Melissa Morales, founder and president of Somos Votantes. “And Donald Trump’s economic agenda is deeply unpopular — from plummeting consumer sentiment to rising costs, working families are feeling the pain of a second Trump administration. Working people want real solutions to keep more of their paychecks instead of prioritizing tax cuts for the ultra wealthy. Latinos across the country agree that Trump’s economic policies are at odds with their priorities and don’t have their best interests at heart.” 

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Somos’ poll is further proof these frustrations are not just numbers; they reflect the deep economic anxieties felt by hardworking families across the country. Economic issues are at the forefront of Latino voters’ minds, with 67% rating the U.S. economy as poor and only 14% saying they live comfortably. The poll also showed that Latino voters view Trump’s economic record as a significant liability: 63% believe he prioritizes the wealthy over working families, and his handling of the economy has resulted in a net -13 disapproval rating.

This data directly reflects the real struggles unfolding across communities in America.

‍On what rural farmers are facing:

“This is the economy of rural America. West Virginia is a wholly rural state, and so developing this agriculture economy in the state is extremely important. These farmers pay their property taxes, they’re business owners, a lot of times they’re commissioners or school board members. These are the drivers that keep rural communities alive. So it feels like a divestment in rural communities across the board.” - Spencer Moss, executive director of the West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition, (NBC News)

“The people who pay for tariffs are the farmers. We grow way more barley than we can possibly consume, so if those markets go away, then farmers are going to be competing for a much more limited number of buyers…We are scared almost to death about tariffs.” - Steve Sheffels, vice president of the Montana Grain Growers Association, (Fast Company)

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On what small business owners are facing: 

“Things have already gone up, so once the tariffs do go up, we don’t know if they’ll continue to rise or not… We’re all worried about having to close.” The store is experiencing rising costs on essential products like a single case of avocados, which once cost around $70, has jumped to $90, and a box of limes has risen from $40 to $75. (KREM News)

"Between all the various factors that have been hitting our economy since the pandemic, essentially, it's driven up the price of dining out. It certainly has in our restaurant. This would just be another way in which, unfortunately, small businesses bear the brunt of those economic effects." - Tennessee Chef Julia Sullivan (The Tennessean)

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On rising grocery prices: 

“We try to keep our prices as reasonable as possible to try and compete with other stores. So, the tariffs are a concerning situation. Businesses are going to take a hit as well, but we don’t pass all these tariffs off on our customers. We want our customers to be able to afford groceries.” - Esron Palmer, the store owner and manager of E. Palmer Supermarket (13 News Now)

“We are a family of five… with three kids under five. We really don’t want to cut corners on food.” - local grocery store shopper (KRON 4 News) 

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About Somos Votantes

Somos Votantes is a Latino-led, Latino-focused organization that runs some of the largest independent Latino civic and voter engagement programs in the country. We envision a nation where hardworking Latinos have the opportunities and tools to fully participate in our democracy. Somos Votantes seeks to empower hardworking Latinos in shaping the future of our democracy, primarily through non-partisan civic engagement programs, by increasing our participation in elections and advocating for progressive policies. Visit https://www.somosvotantes.com/ for more information on this program and other projects, and follow the organization on Instagram, Facebook, and X.