Governor Hochul Holds Roundtable with Business Leaders and Farmers Impacted by Trump’s Tariffs, Continues to Call for $13.5 Billion Refund

Governor Kathy Hochul today held a roundtable with business leaders and farmers from Western New York to hear about the challenges they’ve faced over the past year while navigating the Trump administration’s reckless tariff policies. After the Supreme Court ruled the President’s tariffs unlawful, Governor Hochul immediately called for the federal government to return the $13.5 billion illegally taken from New Yorkers, just like those she met with today. During the conversation, the roundtable participants underscored how the economic chaos coming out of Washington has upended their families’ financial livelihood and made planning for the future impossible.

“Our small business owners and farmers are the backbone of New York’s economy, and they’ve shouldered the burden of the Trump administration’s reckless and illegal tariffs,” Governor Hochul said. “I am honored to be in Western New York today to hear directly from those most impacted by the economic turmoil of the past year. Their stories make clear just how imperative it is that the federal government refund the $13.5 billion taken from New Yorkers.”

Participants of today’s roundtable included:

• AJ Baynes, President & CEO, Amherst Chamber of Commerce
• Angelo Barberic, Sales Manager, AirSep
• Jim Bittner, Managing Partner, Bittner-Singer Orchards
• Rebecca Brady, Owner, Top Seedz
• Jon Notarius, Owner, Premier Wines & Spirits
• John Percy, President, Destination Niagara USA
• Chris Wopperer, Vice President, Thermal Foams
• Justine Duquette, Owner, Cup of CommuniTEA
• Christian Johnson, Founder & CEO, Beautiful Brains
• State Senator Jeremy Zellner
• Assemblymember Karen McMahon
• Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz
• Amherst Town Supervisor Shawn Lavin