Tariff threat has Central Coast businesses on edge

Mexican officials have been on Capitol Hill meeting with lawmakers on the President’s proposed tariffs.

Those talks are being followed very closely all over the world and right here on the Central Coast.

KION spoke with several businesses here on the Central Coast, each of them have the same concern: that tariffs would force them to raise their prices.

Most of the products at Mercadito Alegria in Salinas are imported from Mexico.

Just down the street, Foods Co. says 80 percent of their products are imported from Mexico.

Though all say they’re forced to look into increasing their prices, another option they’re looking at would be changing their inventory.

Either way, they say the biggest impact is on the customers.

“It’s going to be difficult, it’s going to be complicated, to find an immediate solution for what’s to come, ” said Jose Mancera, manager at Mercadito Alegria.

Still, he says that they aren’t going to make any drastic moves until the tariffs become reality.

KION also spoke with the Grower Shipper Association who says it is also monitoring the U.S. – Mexico talks.

They say many year-round Central Coast Ag companies have partnerships in Mexico to provide crops to the U.S. all year.