Kelly Loeffler, President Trump’s ‘Small Business Czar,’ sees a coming renaissance for American entrepreneurs, and tariffs are part of that plan.
In a sit-down interview with the Daily Mail on Friday the Cabinet member brushed off concerns over her boss’s tariffs, which according to polls, have a majority of small business owners concerned over the economy.
‘Look, when you hear the word tariff, think fair trade,’ Loeffler said with a smile while sitting in her D.C. office. ‘Tariffs are just one part of fair trade policies.’
In fact, the Small Business Administrator shared that owners are ‘grateful’ for Trump’s sweeping tariffs.
‘I see small businesses across this country being grateful to President Trump for finally leveling the playing field.’
Though U.S. producers have been fearful about changing market conditions under the new economic regime, the White House is breaking down barriers so small businesses can send their items to more countries than ever before, Loeffler said.
‘They’re about non-monetary trade barriers, and it’s wonderful to see the U.K. trade deal yesterday that lowers some of those very high trade barriers to our U.S. farmers, to our manufacturers.’
‘I think we’re going to see that type of deal replicated dozens of times, that will open our ability to export,’ she claimed confidently.
Administrator of the Small Business Administration Kelly Loeffler sitting in her office
Loeffler, a former Georgia senator shown above campaigning with Trump in 2021, told the Daily Mail that the president is prioritizing investments in small business manufacturers
Loeffler argued that Trump’s administration will be better for Main Street than the previous administration because of the SBA’s new focus on domestic manufacturing and entrepreneurs
Despite the administrator’s optimism, the latest CNBC/SurveyMonkey poll found that 70 percent of small business owners rate the economy as fair or poor.
Loeffler has been given a mandate by the president to invigorate Main Streets across the suburbs, towns and cities of America.
Just this last week she went to Arizona, Idaho and Tennessee to tout ‘Small Business Week’ and tour U.S. manufacturers.
‘We live in a country that should be able to make its own nuts, bolts, screws and fasteners that build this country. We don’t do that anymore,’ she lamented.
To fix that, manufacturing companies will see a massive multi-billion dollar federally-sponsored boost under Trump, the ‘Small Business Czar’ said.
Next generation ‘smart manufacturing’ will be a major emphasis of the SBA, Loeffler shared.
‘Investment is needed more for AI enabled CNC machines, for example,’ she said.
Computer numerical control (CNC) machines are the cutting-edge, often AI-enabled, manufacturing instruments used for mass production.
Steel rods produced at the Gerdau Ameristeel mill in St. Paul, Minn., await shipment
Homes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, next to industrial buildings
U.S. workers prepare silicon wafers at a chip fabrication plant in Dallas, Texas
‘We were impressed by how many small businesses are already employing AI to increase productivity and efficiency in their operations,’ she told the Daily Mail.
‘So there’s huge room to run for small business there, and we’re going to make sure that they’re at the table when we have these conversations.’
She pointed to the ‘Made in America’ manufacturing initiative the SBA launched under Trump’s direction in March. The program plans on cutting $100 billion in small business regulations while supporting manufacturers.
Around 99 percent of U.S. manufacturing operations are small businesses, the administrator said, adding she hopes to double the amount they can receive in loans.
‘I see tremendous optimism and entrepreneurs realizing that within change lies tremendous opportunity, and so many are already taking advantage of that,’ she said.
Instead of worrying over increased prices, Loeffler suggested operators remain steadfast knowing that opportunity that is coming as a result of the full White House suite of economic policies.
‘We’ll get through this period of adjustment and get all the benefit of President Trump’s economic policies, including lower taxes, including lower regulation, those are huge burdens on small businesses, and then fair trade will open up many more opportunities,’ she said.
U.S. companies like Harley-Davidson and others have been impacted by Trump’s tariffs
Loeffler sitting next to DOGE leader Elon Musk during a Cabinet meeting
The former senator explained that, as the White House closes additional tariff deals, U.S. small businesses would be the first to benefit.
Loeffler, 54, a former Georgia senator, business executive and WNBA team owner, credits her passion for small businesses to a family trucking organization they operated on her corn and soybean farm.
‘They’re truly the heartbeat of our community and too often overlooked backbone of our economy,’ she said.
Loeffler also noted that she and Trump share a competitive streak and a mutual love of business.
‘We’re both former sports team owners, and so we’re both competitive, and we like to win,’ she said.
Though with all the work, the Cabinet member added, ‘We haven’t had much time to talk about sports.’
