美国关税政策大变！小企业纷纷裁员倒闭，大企业赚得盆满钵满？

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the stark contrast between the struggles of small businesses and the booming performance of large corporations in the U.S. due to the impact of tariffs, raising questions about the underlying reasons for this disparity [1][20]. Group 1: Impact on Small Businesses - Small businesses, which account for 99.9% of U.S. enterprises, are facing severe challenges due to increased tariffs, leading to inventory reductions and even existential threats [1][3]. - Approximately 36 million small businesses contribute 43% of the U.S. GDP and are responsible for nearly half of private sector employment, yet they are heavily burdened by rising costs from tariffs on raw materials like steel and aluminum, which have doubled to 50% [3][5]. - The cost pressures have significantly squeezed the already thin profit margins of small businesses, forcing many to drastically cut inventory levels compared to previous years [5][9]. Group 2: Performance of Large Corporations - In contrast, large retailers like Amazon and Walmart have seen substantial revenue growth, with Amazon's net sales increasing by 13% to $180 billion and Apple's revenue reaching $102 billion, up 8% [5][11]. - Large corporations benefit from economies of scale, allowing them to negotiate better terms with suppliers and distribute tariff costs across a vast array of products, thus mitigating the direct impact of tariffs [11][16]. - The disparity in operational capabilities between small and large businesses is exacerbated by the tariff policies, which act as a magnifying glass on existing inequalities [11][18]. Group 3: Broader Economic Implications - The struggles of small businesses are likely to have a ripple effect on the employment market, as many may resort to layoffs due to high costs and shrinking profits [13][18]. - Retaliatory tariffs from other countries are specifically targeting U.S. small business exports, further constraining their operational viability [13][16]. - The exit of small businesses from the market could disrupt supply chain diversity, potentially leading to increased costs for large corporations in the future [13][16]. Group 4: Consumer Impact - While large corporations have managed to absorb costs in the short term, the long-term exit of small businesses could reduce market competition, allowing larger firms to gain pricing power [15][20]. - The imbalance in the industry ecosystem may lead to higher hidden costs for large companies as supply chain connections weaken [16][20].