Cantwell, Washington business leaders sound alarm on tariff impacts

One by one, Washington business leaders on Wednesday rattled off how tariffs would kneecap their operations.

The Washington State Wine Commission’s customer base had “shrunk overnight.” Ice cream chain Molly Moon’s profits this year could melt away. Infant clothing designer Swaddle has a “ready-to-ship” container stranded in China and may run out of product in 60 days. And outdoor apparel company Kavu said it’s nearing a shutdown.

“In my 32 years of designing and manufacturing, Kavu has survived tough times, but nothing close to this,” Kavu CEO Barry Barr told reporters at Terminal 46 in Seattle.

The business leaders were testifying alongside managing members of the Northwest Seaport Alliance and Democratic U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, who earlier this month introduced bipartisan legislation to give Congress more authority in setting tariffs.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2025/04/16/cantwell-business-leaders-decry-tariff-impacts.html