A Town Divided, Yet United in Sentiment

A brief visit to Delta, Ohio, reveals a community where Trump flags are nearly as prevalent as the Stars and Stripes. At a local gas station near the Ohio Turnpike, signs display sentiments critical of President Biden, revealing the lingering political undercurrents.This region overwhelmingly supported President Trump in the November elections, with nearly a two-to-one margin.

Gene Burkholder regularly passes through the Barn restaurant for breakfast, nonetheless of what is happening in stock markets.

The Tariff Landscape: A National Overview

President Trump’s proposed tariffs, ranging from 10% to 50% on imports from numerous countries, have stirred global economic concerns. These measures aim to address what the administration views as unfair trade imbalances, with the goal of revitalizing U.S. industry and boosting national income. Though, economists warn that these tariffs could led to increased prices for American consumers.

Delta’s Perspective: “It’s Worth It”

For some residents of Delta, the president’s message of fairness resonates deeply. mary Miller, manager of Delta Candy Emporium, encapsulates this sentiment:

I don’t want people from other countries to suffer, really not, but we need equal conditions.
Mary Miller, Delta Candy Emporium

Miller, a three-time Trump voter, believes that other nations have engaged in unfair trade practices. Like many in the area, she prefers to purchase products manufactured in the United States. Her commitment extends to personal choices; after learning that levi’s jeans moved their factories abroad, she stopped buying the brand.

mary Miller in her sweet and gift store in downtown Delta.

Miller remains resolute despite the potential for price increases, stating, Sometimes you have to walk through the fire to get to the other side.If the tariffs return companies and businesses to the Americans as those living here, then it is indeed worth it. This sentiment is widespread in Delta, a town of approximately 3,300 residents located less than 100 miles from Detroit.

Steel Town Resilience

while the automotive industry, heavily reliant on global supply chains, faces potential disruptions from the tariffs, some sectors in Delta may benefit.Steel companies in the area, established since the 1990s, could be better positioned in an era of increased American protectionism. North Star Bluescope, a local steel manufacturer, has reportedly urged President Trump to expand tariffs on steel and aluminum, while also seeking exemptions for raw materials like scrap.

A wall with a train drawn in a landscape that says Delta

Local steelworkers,when asked about the tariffs,offered a muted response. At the Barn restaurant,after finishing their night shift,they mostly laughed and shrugged at the news,suggesting that the economic developments were unlikely to dampen their weekend spirits.

Community Voices: action and Quality of Life

Outside the Barn restaurant, residents weighed the potential benefits of the import taxes. Gene Burkholder, with decades of experience in agriculture, stated, No one is frantic. That is not going to take away our sleep. Burkholder, while holding some investments, views them as long-term and remains unfazed by recent stock market declines. He even suggested, If you have some extra cash, maybe it’s a good time to buy some shares while they are cheap.

The North Star Bluescope plant, on the edge of Delta, has recently expanded.

Louise Gilson, while expressing reservations about President Trump, echoed a common sentiment: a desire for action. She agreed with another diner’s comment that Trump may be wrong, but at least he is trying. Gilson added, The others would not have done anything, referring to the Democratic Party.

Erosion of the Heartland

The Gilsons acknowledged that large local industrial companies have generally been good neighbors, contributing to the local economy and community organizations. However, they also noted the less desirable effects of industrial development and concerns about economic inequality