Orange County businesses react to Supreme Court tariff ruling – NBC Los Angeles

Hours after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, the president responded by announcing a temporary 10% global tariff under the Trade Act of 1974, leaving consumers and small businesses in Orange County still feeling the impact of the original measures.

Business owners in downtown Santa Ana say tariffs have translated to higher prices and difficult conversations with customers. Many report that sales have slowed as shoppers resist paying more, though they hope the Supreme Court’s ruling could eventually revive business.

Inside Celene’s Bridal, rows of quinceañera dresses sparkle under the lights, but behind the scenes, owner Leticia Cortez says business has been anything but celebratory. She has run the shop for more than 30 years and says tariffs on imported goods have driven up costs, forcing her to raise prices and watch fewer customers walk through the door.

“People do not want to pay so much for the dresses,” said Cortez, referring to the higher prices customers are unwilling to pay.

As an example, Lopez showed a blue dress imported from China, which went from $950 to $1,200, the lowest the shop can now offer.

Dresses are just one part of a broader trend.

The Budget Lab at Yale University reports clothing prices have risen 18% due to tariffs, with shoes up 19%. The Council on Foreign Relations estimates new car prices increased by 5%, and Goldman Sachs reports electronics cost 7.5% more.

For consumers, the increases are changing spending habits.

Eduardo Hernandez, who described himself as a person who loves shoes, said he came just to browse but left empty-handed.

“I like to switch out my outfits and my shoes, but now it’s kind of hard,” he said. “I like to switch out my outfits and my shoes, but now it’s kind of hard.”

Economists suggest there may be some relief ahead. The Supreme Court’s ruling declared most of Trump’s tariffs illegal, which could eventually stabilize prices if rolled back.

Carsten Lange, a professor of economics at Cal Poly Pomona, said reductions are likely but warned there could be delays and uncertainty about the extent of price relief.

“I think we will see for sure reductions. But we don’t know when there might be a time delay. And we don’t know by how much,” Lange said, adding that tariffs could return in other forms, since the president has already announced a 10% global tariff following the ruling.

Cortez said she’s cautiously optimistic, hoping relief comes soon.

She and other business owners in downtown Santa Ana say tariffs, paired with immigration enforcement operations, have significantly hurt sales. They are hopeful for any relief in the near future.