While some Arizona brewers and distillers say they haven’t yet been affected by the Trump administration’s new tariffs on a variety of items, others are still wrapping their heads around what it may mean to the beverage industry in the near future.
For small businesses, tariffs can drive up the cost of goods, said Ben Johnston, chief executive officer of Kapitus, which offers loans, lines of credit and opportunities for business owners to finance equipment.
Tariffs can affect whether small business owners upgrade facilities, purchase equipment and inventory, with many of those costs up front, Johnston said.