Tariffs Threaten Local Brews, Beans, and Bottles in Sullivan County

A new round of proposed tariffs from former President Donald Trump’s economic team could soon hit the shelves—and small businesses—in Sullivan County.

If implemented, the sweeping tariffs would increase the cost of many imported goods that local businesses rely on, including green coffee beans, alcohol ingredients, and car parts. While designed to promote domestic manufacturing, the policy has sparked concern among local entrepreneurs who say they’re being caught in the crossfire of global trade policy.

Charles Wilkin, co-owner of 2 Queens Coffee in Narrowsburg, warned that price increases are on the horizon for customers.

“Probably the next two to three months, the prices are going to stay the same,” Wilkin said. “But once importers start bringing in new crops and new bags of coffee, the tariffs will apply. That’s when I think coffee prices are definitely going to spike.”

Wilkin said the price of Brazilian coffee—once one of the most affordable sources—has already quadrupled over the last six months due to global supply issues. With tariffs looming, he fears further volatility.

“Brazilian coffee has always traditionally been inexpensive. But now, with these spikes and new tariffs, it’s going to be harder to keep prices reasonable,” he said. “We don’t have the resources to hedge against this like the multinationals do. They’ll adapt. We’ll struggle.”

Currently, U.S. imports of coffee are subject to a 10% global tariff. Under the proposed changes, that rate could increase dramatically for specific countries—such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and Brazil—which are major suppliers of coffee and distilling ingredients.

That’s particularly concerning for Brian Facquet, founder of Do Good Spirits in Roscoe. His small-batch distillery sources ingredients from a range of international and domestic suppliers.

“We don’t have equal footing with big brands that can insulate themselves from these price shocks,” Facquet said. “Most of the big liquor companies—they’re multinational. One market falls, another rises. That’s not an option for us.”

Still, Facquet sees a potential silver lining—if local support holds strong.

“I really hope people start embracing manufacturers who’ve been here all along,” he said. “But that only works if people stop thinking global first and start thinking local.”

“You hear it all the time—‘buy local’—but only a small percentage actually do it. That’s got to change if small producers like us are going to survive.”

While the National Coffee Association has submitted a request to exempt coffee from the proposed tariffs, no final decision has been announced. The Trump team’s plan, informally referred to as the “Liberation Day” tariffs, was initially paused for 90 days. That extension has now expired.

Business owners across the region are now in a holding pattern, unsure of when—or how deeply—the new pricing pressures will hit.

“This isn’t just about beans or bottles,” Wilkin said. “It’s about jobs, local pride, and keeping our small towns economically alive.”

For now, Sullivan County businesses like 2 Queens Coffee and Do Good Spirits are urging customers to support them through the uncertainty—and to consider the cost of every cup or bottle as more than just a price tag.