Thom Cheston, the co-founder of Right Proper Brewing in Washington, D.C., is facing increased costs due to President Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum. As a small craft brewery, Cheston is worried about how the 25% increase in the price of aluminum cans will impact his bottom line. He is hesitant to raise prices to cover the additional costs because larger breweries may not do the same, putting him at a competitive disadvantage. For Cheston, the tariffs could mean having to choose between hiring another employee or purchasing necessary equipment. The company sources its packaging from a third party that gets aluminum from Canada, leaving them vulnerable to the price hikes. Larger companies such as Molson Coors, who source their cans domestically, are not as affected by the tariffs. Cheston’s fear is that the tariffs will make it difficult for small businesses like his to compete against larger corporations in the market. The escalating trade war has left many small business owners across the U.S. in a difficult position, having to navigate rising costs in key parts of their operations. Cheston is concerned about the impact this will have on his ability to stay competitive in the craft beer industry.
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