WRAL: “Local businesses say they’re struggling, especially businesses that typically thrive this time of year.”
On the eleventh day of Whatley’s Christmas Costs, the owner of Videri Chocolate Factory in Raleigh highlighted how Michael Whatley’s agenda has raised ingredient prices to as much as $15,000 and is “impact[ing] small business[es] during their peak holiday season.”
DC insider Michael Whatley has called the trade war “record setting in terms of […] effectiveness” and supports them “wholeheartedly.”
“Our business has paid 5% of our gross revenue in tariffs from April ‘till today”
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WRAL: Trump administration lifts cocoa tariffs, but Raleigh chocolatier waits for relief
Shaun Gallagher | December 17, 2025
- Raleigh-based Videri Chocolate is grappling with increased ingredient costs and says that trade tariffs continue to impact small businesses during their peak holiday season.
- Raleigh-based Videri Chocolate owner Sam Ratto said it’s a daily conversation about tariffs’ impacts to his business. He shared an example.
- “A ton of beans from the Dominican Republic went from $5,500 let’s say to $15,000,” Ratto said.
- Lillington resident Alyssa Cluff shared the impacts she’s seen while grocery shopping.“We’re paying as much in groceries as we are for our mortgage,” Cluff said.
- NC GOP Communications Director Matt Mercer said the short-term pain of the tariffs was for long-term gain.
- “All of the things and concerns that were initially talked about, [they] were overblown,” Mercer said.
- Ratto expressed his skepticism.
- “If I don’t know if people will buy chocolate in five months, why would I buy beans?” Ratto said.
- Ratto said about 40% of his business happens from mid-December until Valentine’s Day. He said he needs to see change immediately.
- “If these tariffs keep going in this way, we’ll have to lay people off,” he said.
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