Trump tariffs: Chicago business owners still worried about rising costs as President Donald Trump pauses some tariffs
Share and Follow

CHICAGO (WLS) — President Donald Trump abruptly announced Wednesday a 90-day pause on certain tariffs, but a 10% baseline tariff is still in effect for most countries across the board.

The Dow shot up by more than 2,000 points within minutes of the announcement. It’s still down compared to before President Trump announced global tariffs one week ago.

The tariff whiplash also impacting business owners in the Chicago area.

ABC7 heard from some who say they now feel like they’re stuck in limbo and checked back in with a specialty grocery store owner ABC7 spoke with after the tariffs were first announced. He said while there is now some relief, costs are still going to go up.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Experts are saying it’s too soon to know what the impact will be to consumers’ pockets.

The owner of Gene’s Sausage Shop says as we wait to see how world leaders will resolve the trade war, the battle now is trying to keep the customers they already have.

“It’s a lot of uncertainty and I believe that’s where the problem lies,” Gene’s Sausage Shop co-owner Derek Luszcz said.

The majority of the products that line the aisle of Gene’s Sausage Shop bring a taste of the world to customers in Lincoln Square. Seven days ago, tariffs threatened their ability to keep international delicacies on the shelves.

“It’s really hard for a small business like us, employing 25 people on average, to be able to suck those costs up,” Luszcz said.

While Luszcz said Wednesday’s tariff turnaround was welcome news, he said it is not going to turn things around, in terms of profit, just yet.

“Because people are going to now wait 90 days before they make any kind of move, whether it be up or down, and that is the problem,” Luszcz said.

Luszcz said, for the most part, his shop’s prices have held firm since amidst the tariff turmoil, but not so much for consumer spending.

“People’s discretionary spending has gone down tremendously, and we see this,” Luszcz said.

READ MORE | Illinois leaders, economists, businesses criticize President Trump’s sweeping new tariffs

Now Luszcz is hoping the reverse course steers world leaders in a new direction.

“To have another impact of tariffs hit us when we already see inflated prices from COVID, from transportation cost going up… this would be another roadblock,” Luszcz said.

Luszcz said all he can do is wait and see and hope in the 90 days that consumer confidence in the trade rivalry comes with a resolution.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Three people struck by lightning at St. Augustine Pier in Fla.

Lightning Strikes Three Individuals at St. Augustine Pier, Florida

Three people were injured after being struck by lightning in a popular summer beach…
Colorado woman crawled across remote landscape with broken leg

Injured Woman in Colorado Crawls Through Wilderness After Breaking Leg

A Colorado grandmother was forced to crawl back to her house for…
Justice Dept. fires more lawyers, support staff involved in Trump prosecutions

Justice Department Dismisses Additional Lawyers and Support Staff Linked to Trump Prosecutions

The firings are part of a broader wave of terminations that have…
Shooting at Tennessee class reunion leaves 4 hospitalized

Shooting at Tennessee class reunion leaves 4 hospitalized

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Four people were hospitalized…
FBI director Kash Patel breaks silence over 'conspiracy theories'

FBI chief Kash Patel speaks out about ‘conspiracy theories’

FBI Director Kash Patel has publicly dismissed speculation he is set to…
USS The Sullivans returns after 8-month deployment, reunite with loved ones

USS The Sullivans Returns After 8-Month Deployment to Emotional Reunion with Loved Ones

The USS The Sullivans returns home after an eight-month deployment, reuniting with…
Marine hopeful found dead on roadside after holiday party may have been 'beat to death,' lawsuit claims

Marine hopeful found dead on roadside after holiday party may have been ‘beat to death,’ lawsuit claims

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A Marine hopeful from…
50 Cent savagely trolls Diddy again with wild AI baby oil video

50 Cent ruthlessly taunts Diddy once more with outrageous AI baby oil footage

50 Cent has taken yet another blistering swipe at Diddy, in the…