Joseph Ferrara, the owner of a factory in New York City's garment district, is dealing with rising costs due to US import tariffs, particularly on imported fabrics and materials. 

The new situation is forcing him to absorb costs internally while passing some on to his customers. Unpredictable trade policies, including fluctuating tariffs and short-term agreements, create uncertainty, making long-term business planning difficult.

The tariff changes are disrupting logistics and import strategies, leading businesses to stockpile inventory. With America's textiles and garment sector already lacking skilled workers, higher tariffs alone won't boost domestic production. Retailers remain reliant on imports, fearing inflation and extended industry ramp-up times, while entrepreneurs like Ferrara advocate for lower tariffs on machinery to modernize US apparel production.

This video summary was created by AI from the original DW script. It was edited by a journalist before publication.