Are Tariffs Already Hurting the Economy?

From the Desk of Attorney Omar Zambrano: Helping 10,000 Families Become Debt-Free in 2025

Today is Friday, March 21, 2025, and what I’ve seen this week across Los Angeles County has raised major alarm bells for our local economy.

Over the past several days, I visited multiple Home Depot locations from Baldwin Park to Glendale, El Monte to Ontario. I wanted to get a feel for what contractors, small business owners, and homeowners are experiencing with prices, traffic, and supply chains.

What I found was concerning — quieter stores, rising material costs, and frustrated customers.

Several contractors told me they’re cutting crews, delaying jobs, or passing on bids because prices are “skyrocketing.” A delivery driver said, “Nobody’s moving volume like we did last year. It’s slower.”

And the common theme? The new tariffs.

Since March 4, 2025, we’ve seen a fresh round of trade penalties take effect — 25% on Canadian and Mexican imports (except Canadian energy) and 20% on Chinese goods.

If you’re wondering whether these tariffs are already hitting families in Southern California — I can tell you the answer is yes.

The March 4 Tariffs: What Changed Overnight

Let’s lay out what happened:

🔹 25% tariffs on nearly all goods from Canada and Mexico 🔹 10% tariff on Canadian energy imports 🔹 20% tariff on all Chinese goods

These three countries represent the backbone of the American supply chain:

• Canada: $750 billion in trade

• Mexico: $650 billion

• China: $575 billion

  
  

Combined, you’re looking at nearly $2 trillion in imports now taxed — and that includes:

• Lumber

• Power tools

• Flooring

• Screws, nails, piping

• Electrical components

• Kitchen and bath fixtures

• Seasonal decor and lighting

• Even basic fasteners and adhesives

  
  

That’s why so many of the contractors I spoke with at Home Depot this week are struggling. One of them, Luis from Whittier, said:

“Framing materials are up 20% in two weeks. We just pulled a bid because we’d lose money. The client won’t pay $45,000 when they expected $35,000.”

This isn’t theory. This is price shock, and it’s already hitting working families hard.

Real Voices from the Aisles of Home Depot

I spoke to multiple shoppers and professionals — here’s what they told me:

✅ Cynthia, single mom renovating her home in La Puente

“I planned to redo my kitchen. Prices jumped on everything. I bought a faucet last month for $89 — now it’s $112.”

✅ Marco, licensed contractor from West Covina

“Every estimate I’ve written in the past 30 days has had to be re-priced. Clients think I’m making it up. But it’s the suppliers. Lumber and drywall are killing us.”

✅ David, small plumbing company owner in El Monte

“My copper pipe order from last month is 17% more today. Multiply that by 15 jobs per week — I’m eating the difference just to keep clients.”

This isn’t some big industry collapse — it’s a slow bleed happening in our neighborhoods, our jobs, and our budgets.

We’ve Seen This Movie Before — And It’s Looking Like 2008

These trade shocks aren’t happening in a vacuum. They’re hitting at a time when:

• Layoffs are spiking

• Interest rates are still sky-high

• Credit card debt is at $1.35 trillion

• Mortgage delinquencies are rising

• Repossession filings are up

• Credit card APRs are averaging 23–30%

  
  

Sound familiar?

This is exactly how 2008 began — slow declines, one price hike at a time, until families hit a breaking point.

The difference this time? It’s not just housing. It’s everything — from remodeling a bathroom to keeping your job in a factory that now can’t get parts.

The Broader Economic Data Isn’t Encouraging Either

Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:

📉 172,000 layoffs were recorded in February — one of the highest since 2020

📉 30,000 of those came from Google, as I reported on March 17

📉 1.1 million mortgages are underwater again, per March 18 data

📉 Consumer credit delinquencies are at a 13-year high

📉 Inflation remains at 3.1%, while wage growth has stalled

📉 Mortgage rates are hovering near 6.8% — killing new home buying

Now add tariffs to that mix? You’ve got a dangerous combination of:

• Higher prices

• Slower consumer demand

• Job losses

• Credit pressure

• Shrinking small businesses

• And it’s all happening before summer even starts.

  
  

Is It Really the Tariffs — or Just the Economy Slowing?

Some folks I spoke to weren’t sure who to blame. One electrician at Home Depot in Glendale told me:

“It’s hard to say. Tariffs might be part of it, but it just feels like the whole economy is stalling out.”

Fair point. But as I told him — the cause matters less than the impact.

When prices go up 25% in a matter of days, families don’t have time to debate economic theory. They feel the pain instantly:

• The job gets delayed

• The card gets maxed

• The rent gets late

• The garnishment starts

  
  

Whether it’s tariffs, inflation, or both — the pressure is real, and it’s building fast.

Your Strategic Response: Legal and Financial Survival Plan

If you’re feeling the squeeze already — don’t wait for the repo truck or the wage garnishment. Here’s what I’m telling clients in Baldwin Park, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties right now:

✅ Diversify Your Income

Side gigs, weekend work, freelance. If you can bring in even $500 extra a month, that’s the gap between falling behind or staying current.

✅ Cut Toxic Debt Before It Eats You Alive

If you’re paying 25% APR on cards, you’re throwing away money every single month. Let us help you:

Consolidate

Settle

Or eliminate that debt legally

✅ Bankruptcy Is Not Failure — It’s a Financial Reset

We’ve filed thousands of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases since 2001. If you’re drowning in credit cards, medical bills, or old loans, this is your lifeline.

✅ Stop Wage Garnishments Before They Start

If you’ve been sued or threatened, don’t wait. We can stop garnishments before they begin — and in many cases, recover what was already taken.

✅ Protect Your Car and Home

Behind on your auto loan? Facing foreclosure? We can help you restructure or defend your rights under California and federal law.

My Law Firm’s Services – The Tools to Fight Back

We’re not just here to give advice. We’re here to protect you.

🚗 Auto Loan & Repossession Defense

✔ Stop the repo man ✔ Reinstate your loan ✔ Renegotiate terms

💳 Credit Card & Personal Loan Relief

✔ Settle balances for less ✔ End collection calls ✔ Freeze interest charges

🛡️ Bankruptcy (Chapter 7 & Chapter 13)

✔ Eliminate debt fast ✔ Stop lawsuits & collections ✔ Protect income and assets

💰 Wage Garnishment & Lawsuit Defense

✔ Stop garnishments ✔ Respond to court filings ✔ Defend judgments

🏠 Foreclosure Protection & Mortgage Help

✔ Stop the sale ✔ Lower payments ✔ Negotiate or file strategic bankruptcy

💬 Free Legal Consultations

✔ Confidential ✔ No obligation ✔ Fast answers, real strategy

📞 Call Now — Your Financial Lifeline Starts Today

Attorney Omar Zambrano

📲 (626) 338-5505

🌐 OmarZambrano.com

📱 WhatsApp: +1-626-550-7071

📍 12738 Ramona Blvd, Baldwin Park, CA 91706

Closing Thoughts: You Don’t Need Another Breakdown — You Need a Breakthrough

March 4 was the trigger. Prices jumped. Business slowed. Clients started calling. Contractors started laying off.

If you’ve been feeling it, don’t ignore it.

It’s not your fault. But it is your responsibility to act.

I’ve helped thousands of families survive 2008, 2020, and now 2025.

📉 You don’t have to lose your home.

📉 You don’t have to lose your car.

📉 You don’t have to drown in debt.

Call me today — and let’s start fixing it, together.

Attorney Omar Zambrano Helping 10,000 Families Become Debt-Free in 2025

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