Comes After the Supreme Court Ruled Trump Administration’s Tariff Policies Unlawful
Governor Has Repeatedly Called on the Federal Government To Return $13.5 Billion Illegally Taken From New Yorkers, an Estimated $1,751 per Household
Business Leaders and Farmers Underscored the Challenges They Faced While Navigating Tariff Chaos Over the Past Year
Governor Kathy Hochul today held a roundtable with business leaders and farmers from the Capital Region to hear about the challenges they’ve faced over the past year while navigating the Trump administration’s reckless tariff policies. After the Supreme Court ruled the President’s tariffs unlawful, Governor Hochul immediately called for the federal government to return the $13.5 billion illegally taken from New Yorkers, just like those she met with today. During the conversation, the roundtable participants underscored how the economic chaos coming out of Washington has upended their families’ financial livelihood and made planning for the future impossible.
“The Trump administration’s chaotic tariff policies have put unnecessary and careless financial burdens on farmers, small businesses, and families across New York State,” Governor Hochul said. “The federal government should be uplifting the people that they represent — not taxing them unlawfully and taking $13.5 billion from our hard workers.”
Participants of today’s roundtable included:
- Sonya Del Peral, Nine Pin
- Jinah Ahn, Sunhee's Farm & Kitchen
- Mathieu Cornellier, Soleno USA
- Mark Eagan, Capital Region Chamber of Commerce & CEG
- Derek Grout, Golden Harvest Farms & Harvest Spirits Distillery
- Genevieve Howley, GNH Lumber
- Gina Mintzer, Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Jeff Mirel, The Rosenblum Companies
- Dominick Purnomo, Yono's & dp An American Brasserie
For over a year, Governor Hochul has been meeting with New Yorkers to discuss the impact of Trump’s tariffs on their lives. The Governor recently visited Victor Schwartz, the owner of VOS Selections and a plaintiff in the lawsuit that recently led to a Supreme Court decision. The same day, the Governor sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent calling on him to immediately work with federal agencies to refund all tariff payments to New Yorkers.
Based on estimates by the Budget Lab at Yale, the average New York household has faced an estimated $1,751 in added costs due to tariffs since they were enacted last year, for a total estimated $13.5 billion statewide impact.
While she continues to press for a refund, as part of her 2026 State of the State, the Governor proposed $30 million in tariff relief to help support impacted farmers across the state. Even with the recent Supreme Court ruling overturning Trump’s tariffs, for many farmers the damage has already been done — with farmers across New York facing higher equipment and supply costs and other major challenges.
The Trump administration’s chaotic tariff policies have put unnecessary and careless financial burdens on farmers, small businesses, and families across New York State.”
State Senator Patricia Fahy said, “While this President says that the affordability crisis is over, New York families paid more than $1,000 last year in tariff taxes and are expected to pay an additional $1,300 more this year. The affordability crisis is very real, and far too many Capital Region families and workers are struggling just to make ends meet. Tariffs are taxes on the average American and businesses, and the Federal Reserve has already said that more than 90 percent of the cost of tariffs is paid for by both American companies and the consumer. Despite the Supreme Court's ruling, this administration is moving forward with even more tariff taxes, and small businesses like Nine Pin, Tara Kitchen, and more, who operate on fine margins, cannot afford these added costs and are desperate for real relief now. I represent hundreds of family farms, and I applaud and support Governor Hochul's push to provide tariff relief to our farmers and call on the federal government to return the billions of dollars in tariffs to New Yorkers and Americans.”
Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh said, “Tariffs are a tax — plain and simple. There is a legal process for implementing tariffs, and it should be done in full coordination with Congress and the Senate, which are responsible for protecting the people they serve. Unfortunately, that was not the case this past year, and residents and small business owners in our state paid the price. The Supreme Court spoke loudly and clearly on the illegal implementation of these tariffs, standing with residents and businesses who have been financially harmed. I will continue working to support policies that are fair.”
Assemblymember Gabriella A. Romero said, “My constituents in the 109th Assembly District and families throughout the Capital Region have felt the economic strain caused by Trump’s absurd, illegal tariff policies. From farmers and small businesses to working families trying to make ends meet, these senseless policies have driven up the cost of everyday goods that people rely on — that’s unacceptable and we must pursue justice for New Yorkers. I thank Governor Hochul for amplifying the voices of impacted farmers and small business owners in the Capital Region with this roundtable.”
