Michael Fowler: Tariffs disrupted Tacoma exporters; World Trade Center Tacoma outlines outreach and trade missions

Michael Fowler, of World Trade Center Tacoma, told the Economic Development Committee on April 28 that tariffs imposed in recent months severely disrupted local exporters and that the center stepped in as an information hub for affected firms.

"It's been a bad couple years in trade," Fowler said, describing how some tariffs raised duties on certain imports to very high levels and created widespread delays and cost shocks. He said the center provided targeted help—answering calls from businesses and the press—and estimated that staff reached "over 250 individuals and nearly as many companies" in the months after the tariff changes.

Fowler said the center’s regular programming has resumed after the immediate crisis and includes training, consulting, and trade missions. In 2024, he said, the center ran trade missions to Vietnam, Japan and China and that the missions produced concrete relationships—he cited new links between regional aerospace suppliers and overseas partners and university exchange arrangements with Vietnamese institutions.

On practical supports, Fowler highlighted free language classes and outreach sessions: "Every Monday, 4PM at the World Trade Center, it's free Chinese," he said, and described export roundtables and a local award that spotlights successful exporters. He also listed planned efforts including an "international soft landing" package for visiting delegations, aerospace-related exchanges and outreach to African executives, and said the center will continue education about federal processes for businesses seeking tariff refunds.

During council questions, Fowler described how the center defines the small and medium enterprises it serves: definitions vary, he said, but the center works with micro enterprises (one-person or family start-ups) and more-established small businesses that are stable and ready to expand. On the question of refunds and federal administration, Fowler said firms must register in refund programs and that the federal processes were under preparation; he said WTC Tacoma expects to assist businesses with the registration and education needed to pursue refunds.

Fowler warned that price impacts from supply-chain disruptions can lag: "It could be years before [the effects] come down," he said, noting that some businesses absorbed costs for months before needing to pass them on to buyers. He urged continued education and coordination between the center and city staff, and noted that WTC Tacoma had added an intern to help with outreach and would work through city economic development staff on communications.

The committee did not take action on policy at the meeting. Fowler’s update closed with an offer to coordinate further with staff and council members on outreach and informational events.