Upstate United Warns Against Impact of Tariffs on New Yorkers

February 3rd, 2025

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United

“Despite affordability being a top concern of everyday New Yorkers, we should all prepare to pay more as a result of tariffs on goods and services that we consume daily.

“Make no mistake, these tariffs on our most important trading partner, Canada, are no different from a tax increase on hard working New Yorkers. With everything from energy, cars, groceries, and gasoline prices facing increases as a result of tariffs, one industry will be particularly hard hit – construction.  With prices already sky high for construction, New Yorkers should be ready to pay even thousands more as the price of essential building materials like lumber, gypsum and concrete increase. 

“Over the past several years, New Yorkers have seen prices at the grocery store, the lumber store and their favorite restaurants increase. In the coming days and weeks, I would encourage residents to take note of the prices as they will soon go up once again as a result of these tariffs. With so much emphasis being placed on reducing prices and addressing affordability, we must ask why such policies would be put in place to knowingly and intentionally raise prices on New Yorkers.”