Despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that declared certain Trump-era tariffs unconstitutional, the United States will continue to enforce its current tariff policies and uphold trade agreements with key allies such as the UK and EU. Trade chief Jamieson Greer recently defended these measures at a press conference in Washington D.C., asserting their necessity for safeguarding American industries from foreign competition.

Think of it like your household budget, where you have to decide how much money goes into groceries versus entertainment or savings. In this case, tariffs are the buffer between what comes in (foreign goods) and what we spend on at home (local products).

I did not want to believe this was necessary for our country’s well-being. My late husband always said that it's better to face hard truths than pretend they don't exist. But when you look beneath the surface, these tariffs are a critical defense mechanism against foreign economic threats.

Generational stakes are enormous here: What this means for your kids and grandkids is not just economic security but also the sustainability of industries that could shape their future careers and livelihoods. If we don't protect our domestic manufacturing now, they may find themselves competing with an influx of cheaper foreign goods in adulthood.

These tariffs are meant to strengthen local economies by making it less profitable for companies abroad to undercut American businesses through lower prices or subsidies. But the Supreme Court decision throws this protection into question.

I stayed up late last night thinking about how these changes could impact our small towns and cities where manufacturing is still a backbone of employment.