Made in America
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Made in America: What One $25 T-Shirt Taught Me About Tariffs
I was listening to Trump ramble about tariffs in Chicago the other day, and something hit me: as much as his economic message sounds like it’s from another galaxy, it’s not that far off from what other countries have been doing for decades. In fact, if you squint, it starts to look an awful lot like Kamala Harris’s ideas around price controls — just the other side of the Keynesian coin.
What really stood out, though, was how different it is from Reagan-era economics. Remember deregulation and letting the free market decide? That model helped Trump become a billionaire. And yet here he is now, telling John Deere they can’t build factories in Mexico. It’s a whole new political vibe: both parties slowly warming to the idea of invisible hands doing visible things in the economy.
The $25 Shirt That Touched Five Industries
Let me tell you a quick story. Two days ago, I made a sale through ArtsByDylan.com. A customer near Chicago ordered a VOTE women’s T-shirt for $25. With tax, it came to $27.50. But that doesn’t mean I pocketed $25.
Here’s the breakdown:
- The shirt itself was likely made overseas.
- A U.S.-based printer in Texas purchased them wholesale.
- That printer has rent, payroll, electricity, machine maintenance, and debt.
- Printify, my print-on-demand provider, takes a cut.
- Shipping costs around $6.
- Processing fees eat into the rest.
After everything, my net take-home from this sale? Around $5 to $7.
But it gets deeper: this single sale supported multiple U.S. companies, the USPS, and even planted a tree (yes, for real). The customer just clicked “buy” — but the ripple effect crossed states and industries.
Tariffs vs. VAT: Two Sides of the Same Coin
International shipping isn’t cheap. One reason I prioritize American printers (except for a few Canadian hats) is because of insane shipping costs and customs. A VAT (value-added tax) in places like Europe can double or triple the price.
So while Americans moan about tariffs, we forget: Europe has had VATs for decades. The difference? A VAT hits the consumer. A tariff hits the business, who then raises prices.
That means policies like Trump’s tariffs or Kamala’s price talks both play with the same economic toolbox. And while economists argue about theory, small businesses like mine are living the consequences in real time.
Small Business in a Global System
Here’s the problem: American-made goods often cost more. A Danner boot made in Portland? $400. A similar boot made in China or Mexico? $200. If tariffs bring those closer in price, suddenly people might choose American again. But that only works if wages rise, too.
Same with BBQ grills: a high-end Traeger made in China used to cost $2,000. Now, after tariffs, it’s nearly $4,000 — pushing people to consider American-made grills from Texas or Missouri.
The Internet’s New Supply Chain
Back in the 1980s, my aunt and uncle worked logistics for Santa Cruz Imports. They helped American retailers like JCPenney coordinate massive shipments from Asia. It was a volume game — order 10,000 shirts or don’t bother.
Now? I can print and ship one shirt. That’s the evolution. That’s the opportunity.
What This Means
We live in a time where micro-businesses like mine operate on macro platforms. That $25 shirt wasn’t just a sale. It was:
- A job for a printer in Texas
- A commission for Printify in SF
- A shipment for USPS
- A tree planted
- A design seen and shared
- And maybe — a little nudge for someone to vote
Final Thought
Tariffs, taxes, and tech all intertwine now. The conversation shouldn’t just be about what costs what. It should be about who benefits — and how we build systems that help more people win.
Because yes, one shirt can change an entire supply chain. You just have to follow the threads.