A Sweet Spot for Tariffs (and Taffy)
In Delta, Ohio—a village so small you might miss it if you sneezed while driving through—you can spot nearly as many Trump flags as stars-and-stripes banners. And at the local petrol station near the Ohio Turnpike? Well, let’s just say Biden supporters aren’t exactly welcome to pump gas here unless they’re ready to pay someone else’s tab. One pump cheekily declares, “Whoever voted for Biden owes me gas money!” It’s like a roadside roast battle, but with fewer jokes about your mom.
At the heart of Main Street sits the Delta Candy Emporium, run by Mary Miller, who has more opinions than jellybeans in her shop. A proud three-time Trump voter, she believes other countries haven’t been playing fair on trade—kind of like that one kid in kindergarten who always took an extra cookie at snack time. When asked about potential price hikes from Trump’s new tariffs, Miller shrugged philosophically. “Sometimes you have to walk through fire to get to the other side,” she said, presumably while imagining herself as some sort of economic firefighter armed with taffy and tenacity.
Steel Town Swagger
On the outskirts of Delta lies a cluster of steel businesses that seem oddly excited about Trump’s tariff extravaganza. One company, North Star BlueScope, has thrown its support behind expanded tariffs on steel and aluminum—but only after asking for exemptions on raw materials like scrap metal. Classic move: “We love protectionism, but can we still cheat a little?”
Meanwhile, inside the Barn Restaurant—a cozy spot where steelworkers gather after pulling all-nighters—you won’t find anyone losing sleep over Trump’s latest economic antics. Asked about the sweeping tariffs announced earlier in the week, most workers laughed, shrugged, or ordered another round of beers. Clearly, this news isn’t going to ruin their weekend—or their appetite for pancakes smothered in maple syrup thicker than international trade agreements.
The Calm Before the Economic Storm
Back outside, Gene Burkholder, a seasoned veteran of the agriculture industry, offered his take on the situation. Spoiler alert: He wasn’t panicking. “Nobody’s frantic,” he said with the calm demeanor of someone who’s seen worse things happen during harvest season. Despite owning stocks, Burkholder wasn’t obsessing over market dips following Trump’s announcement. Instead, he saw it as an opportunity: “If you’ve got some spare cash, maybe now’s a good time to buy shares while they’re cheap.” Translation: Why stress when you can shop?
A few booths down, Louise Gilson quietly admitted she didn’t fully trust President Trump—but hey, at least he’s trying. Her son Rob chimed in with a zinger: “The other people wouldn’t have done squat.” By “the other people,” he meant Democrats, whom locals apparently view as less effective than a flat tire. The Gilsons agreed that while big industrial employers have brought jobs and charity dollars to Delta, life hasn’t exactly been a bed of roses either. As Rob put it, “It seems like the heart of America is gone.” His mom added wryly, “Delta’s the kind of place where 25% or 30% of the people are struggling with their demons.” Sounds like a Netflix drama waiting to happen.
Betting Big on Trump’s Trade Game
So why are folks in Delta willing to roll the dice on Trump’s risky tariff plan? Maybe it’s because they’ve already watched their town change in ways economists can’t quantify. Sure, there are pros and cons to industrial development, but nostalgia runs deep in Delta. People remember simpler times when neighbors weren’t glued to their phones and kids could ride bikes without fear of existential dread. Now, with challenges ranging from safety concerns to economic inequality, residents seem ready to bet on Trump—even if Wall Street looks like it just lost a game of Monopoly.
For better or worse, Delta is doubling down on Trump’s promise to shake up global trade. Whether that means cheaper candy or pricier jeans remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: If this whole tariff thing goes sideways, they’ll probably blame Canada. Because, honestly, when in doubt, blame Canada—it’s practically an American pastime.
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