CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – It makes most of its money from cruise ships, but Port Canaveral also calls itself Central Florida’s gateway to global commerce.
With President Trump’s tariffs on all international imports, some wonder how our local economy will be affected.
Petroleum is Port Canaveral’s biggest import, and the port said its gas, which is delivered all over our region, comes from around the world.
The same goes for lumber, which skyrocketed in price during the COVID-19 pandemic when it seemed like everyone was building or buying a house.
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The port also just got a huge shipment of wood pulp, which is used to make paper products, from Sweden.
Offloading more than 8,000 tons, the port said it was one of its largest wood pulp deliveries ever. The port said it was too early to speculate if the cost of living will now increase even more.
News 6 talked to Mary and Phillip Racicot of Cape Canaveral, who were eating lunch Thursday at Seafood Atlantic. They said they think the tariffs are a good idea.
“I think it’s time that we put tariffs in because it has worked against us for so many years,” Mary Racicot said. “Would I say maybe in moderation? Yes, but I think, ultimately, it will help the United States of America.”
The couple said they trusted when President Trump said a tariff is a tax on a foreign country, not on consumers like themselves.
“Even though I’ve never voted for Mr. Trump, I do trust his economics because I think he’s a wise person, a good businessman,” Phillip Racicot said.
After President Trump imposed the tariffs Wednesday, News 6 reporter Mike Valente talked to an economics professor who had a much different opinion than the Racicots.
“You’re making it even more expensive for people who create jobs, and serve customers, and who buy goods and services,” said Dr. Victor Claar of Florida Gulf Coast University.
Through just the first few months of the year, the port said it’s already taken in a total of more than 2 million tons of cargo.
