By Hank Russell
Governor Kathy Hochul says the Trump administration owes the state $13.5 billion from the economic damage caused by the tariffs.Hochul made this announcement following the recent Supreme Court decision overturning the president’s tariffs.
Based on estimates by the Yale Budget Lab, the average New York household has faced an estimated $1,751 in added costs due to tariffs since they were enacted last year, for a total estimated $13.5 billion statewide impact.
“These senseless and illegal tariffs were just a tax on New York consumers, small businesses and farmers — and that’s why I’m demanding a full refund,” Hochul said. “I’ll never stop fighting for New Yorkers, and that means staying focused on putting more money back in your pockets — not ripping it away.”
In addition to the impact of Trump tariffs on millions of consumers, Hochul has also highlighted the harm caused by tariffs on New York’s small businesses, particularly farmers across the state. As part of her 2026 State of the State, the governor proposed $30 million in tariff relief to help support impacted farmers across the state. Even with the recent Supreme Court ruling, Hochul said, the damage has already been done, as farmers across the state face higher equipment and supply costs and other major challenges.
According to the governor’s office:
- Over 80% of agrochemical imports and 70% of farm machinery imports come from countries facing tariffs of 10% or more. Farmers will have trouble finding other suppliers to avoid tariffs due to the high concentration of imports from high-tariff countries.
- Farms statewide face higher expenses for fertilizer and equipment, with some farmers indicating that their businesses face increases of up to $20,000 annually, while milk exports have fallen 7%.
Ryan Radulovacki, Hochul’s campaign spokesperson, blasted Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman — who is running against Hochul for governor — for supporting Trump’s tariffs. On a recent appearance on WABC Radio’s “Sid and Friends in the Morning with Sid Rosenberg,” Blakeman said “the war on tariffs is a good thing.”
“Donald Trump’s tariffs are expensive, illegal, and one hundred percent backed by Bruce Blakeman,” Radulovacki said. “As small businesses, farmers, and families alike struggle with the Trump economy and its chaotic, cost-raising policies, all Blakeman cares about is keeping his boss in the White House happy — which is exactly what New Yorkers don’t want from their governor.”
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to the Blakeman campaign, but did not hear back as of press time.
In response to Hochul’s comments, White House spokesperson Kush Desai said, “Democrats spent decades talking about lopsided ‘free’ trade deals, reshoring middle-class manufacturing jobs, and lowering prescription drug prices. President Trump used tariffs to actually deliver where Democrats could only talk, so naturally Democrats are resorting to gathering more meaningless popcorn headlines – pathetic but unsurprising.”