BERLIN, Md. -- Since taking office, President Donald Trump has made tariffs a major part of his economic plan. Those tariffs have local officials monitoring imported items more closely.
Berlin purchased a new VAC truck for its Water Resources Department in late April. Councilmember Jay Knerr said the town was ready and willing to spend the $624,000. However, a tariff, expected to kick in in early May, added some urgency to that decision as town leaders looked to lock down a cheaper price.
That tariff took effect on May 3rd, imposing a 25% tax on various imported auto parts. The new VAC trucks' chassis will also be imported.
"It would've hit the town hard," said Knerr. "So it was very prudent of the town to jump on the bandwagon and get the order in right away."
However, the VAC truck is just one example of the new world in which small-town governments are living in.
"The direction that's coming from the administration and the federal government at times seems to be a little, confusing," said Councilmember Jack Orris.
Shortly after taking office, Trump threatened to impose 10% tariffs on China and 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada. Two days later, he agreed to a 30-day pause on the tariffs for Canada and Mexico.
The 10% tariffs on China took effect shortly after on February 4th.
The following months have looked similar. A full breakdown and timeline of the tariffs imposed under the Trump administration can be found here.
Still, the President firmly stands by his decisions and said as much during a press conference on Wednesday, May 7th.
"We were losing with China on trade, a trillion dollars a year, more actually, 1.1, but let's say a trillion," said Trump. "You know what we're losing now? Nothing."
The outlook for the future and how these tariffs could impact local towns is slightly different in Berlin.
We asked Knerr if the tariffs are causing officials any worry about making major purchases, mainly when those purchases could be coming from overseas.
"Very much so, because we don't know how long these tariffs are going to last, when it's all going to be negotiated," said Knerr.
Knerr and Orris told WBOC the town must keep a close eye on federal decisions.