Reporter's Notebook: Tariffs bring back COVID-era fears for small businesses
Reporter's Notebook: Tariffs bring back COVID-era fears for small businesses

Rising import costs are squeezing small businesses. Many say it feels just like the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. “CBS Evening News” co-anchor John Dickerson explains.
Read the full article on CBS US
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article's central claim that rising import costs due to tariffs are squeezing small businesses and evoking COVID-era fears is generally supported by the provided sources. However, the framing and emphasis on negative impacts suggest a moderate bias. Some specific claims are not directly verifiable within the provided sources, requiring reliance on general knowledge.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim:** Rising import costs are squeezing small businesses.
- Verification Source #3: Supports this claim, stating "Small businesses are likely going to suffer under President Donald Trump's tariffs."
- Claim:** Many say it feels just like the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Verification Source #3: Supports this claim, quoting "I kind of feel like we're back in COVID times..."
- Verification Source #4: Mentions COVID-19 brought the world economy to a halt, providing context for the comparison.
- Claim:** Tariffs are bringing back COVID-era fears.
- This is an interpretive claim. While the sources support the idea that tariffs are negatively impacting businesses and that COVID-19 was a period of economic hardship, the direct link to "fears" is not explicitly stated but implied.
- General Context:** The sources generally confirm the implementation of tariffs and potential negative economic consequences.
- Verification Source #1, #2, #3, #4: All discuss Trump's tariffs and their impact on markets and international relations.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Agreement:** Verification Source #3 directly supports the claim that small businesses are likely to suffer under the tariffs, echoing the sentiment of being "back in COVID times."
- Agreement:** Verification Source #4 provides context by mentioning the economic disruption caused by COVID-19, making the comparison more understandable.
- Lack of Coverage:** None of the sources directly quantify the extent to which tariffs are squeezing small businesses or the specific types of "fears" being evoked. This requires relying on general knowledge that economic uncertainty can lead to anxiety and fear.
- Potential Bias:** The article focuses on the negative impacts of tariffs, potentially omitting or downplaying any potential benefits or counterarguments.