{"id":139987,"date":"2025-08-12T15:28:16","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T15:28:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/139987\/"},"modified":"2025-08-12T15:28:16","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T15:28:16","slug":"trumps-huge-brazil-tariff-hits-small-business-in-l-a-county","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/139987\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump’s huge Brazil tariff hits small business in L.A. County"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the heady circles where global economists and academics offer their opinions, President Trump\u2019s whopping 50% tariff on goods from Brazil will do only \u201climited\u201d harm to the economy<\/a> of the South American giant.<\/p>\n

In the terrestrial places where JR deSouza makes a living, the levies enacted last week hit a lot harder.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt has caused me a lot of lost sleep,\u201d said deSouza, whose company, Outex, makes underwater camera housings<\/a>, manufactured in plants in Brazil and in Long Beach, San Fernando and Downey. <\/p>\n

DeSouza is a married father of two who lives in La Ca\u00f1ada. He had a winning career in product management and marketing with companies like TiVo, Disney and DreamWorks Animation, before he founded Outex 15 years ago.<\/p>\n

The 54-year-old grew up in Brazil and came to the U.S. in high school to pursue a swimming career, which led him to the University of Tennessee and the Brazilian Olympic team. On the Rose Bowl masters swim team in Pasadena, he\u2019s the amiable teammate who has a kind word for everyone, even the flounderers who swim in his wake.<\/p>\n

In creating Outex, deSouza combined his passion for the water (he also surfs and snorkels) and photography, which he picked up from his father.<\/p>\n

He told me his company has sold tens of thousands of Outex devices, mostly to professional photographers, but also to serious amateurs, who want to take pictures in and around the water. The devices can even be used with mobile phone cameras. They get strong ratings online for flexibility, durability and picture quality.<\/p>\n

Then came Trump and his tariffs<\/a>, which have thrown entrepreneurs worldwide into a dither. The charges against Brazilian goods are among the highest the president has imposed.<\/p>\n

Trump generally asserts that his tariffs hit countries that \u201clooted\u201d the U.S. with unfair trade practices. But America maintains a trade surplus with Brazil. The president levied the high tariffs, instead, because Brazil\u2019s former leader and his ally, Jair Bolsonaro, has been put on house arrest and accused of plotting a coup for attempt to overturn the last presidential election. (Sound familiar?) Trump calls the case against Bolsonaro<\/a> a \u201cwitch hunt.\u201d<\/p>\n

DeSouza doesn\u2019t want to get into those politics. He just wants to assure that his business weathers the tempest, knowing that Trump frequently has shifted tariffs, with little warning. The exact levy on Outex housings is hard to calculate, because of the company\u2019s complex net of supply and assembly across two nations.<\/p>\n

The businessman said it\u2019s possible he could shift more of his operation to the U.S., but would take time and considerable planning. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very difficult for businesses, especially ones selling directly to consumers, to absorb a 50% price increase overnight,\u201d deSouza said. He\u2019s doing his best \u201cto absorb some of it with our manufacturing and assembly partners here in the United States and in Brazil,\u201d but ultimately he will have to pass some of the cost on to customers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe may have to lay off some workers and cut growth expenses to preserve the business and navigate through it.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019s feeling forgotten amid the global hubbub, but hoping someone in the government can help small business people like him. \u201cBig corporations can afford lobbyists and lawyers and, you know, people who are focused on gaming the system,\u201d he said. \u201cSmaller businesses don\u2019t have the same resources. They are just trying to make a product and deliver value.\u201d<\/p>\n

DeSouza became an American citizen years ago. \u201cI want what is best for the United States and for small business,\u201d he said, \u201cRight now, the ambiguity and complexity is wreaking havoc.\u201d<\/p>\n

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