By Phil Kabler, Charleston Gazette-Mail
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — On a day celebrating West Virginia businesses that have opened new export markets, state Commerce Secretary Ed Gaunch conceded that Trump administration trade policies are presenting challenges for some state businesses.
“As I have traveled around the state on the listening tour; I can tell you the tariffs are having an impact,” Gaunch said after the annual Governor’s Commendation International Market Entry Awards ceremony.
As president, Donald Trump has imposed a series of tariffs or tariff increases on products imported from locales including the European Union, Canada, Mexico and, particularly, China.
Gaunch said tariffs are having impact on certain industries, especially hardwoods and automobile parts, and on trade with the affected countries.
“It seems like the China tariffs are the ones having the most impact,” he said. …