The Dive: The N.C. Businesses Happy About Tariffs

President Trump’s tariff crusade is disorienting the global economic order, rocking retirement accounts, and torching international relationships. 

But for third-generation Sneads Ferry shrimper Nancy Edens, the president’s tariffs are a relief. “It feels like he threw us a lifeline,” she said.

Edens’ grandfather in the 1950s started B.F. Millis & Sons Seafood, a waterfront fish house overlooking the New River. Business has never been worse, she said. “My father’s been in business all of his life–and he said this past year, he’s never seen it like this,” she said. “Never.”

Last year, a seafood processor and reliable customer said he didn’t want their product since he could buy much cheaper imports—a first for the family. “It’s never happened before,” Edens said. “The prices have just continually gone down because of the imports.”

Shrimpers like Edens point to the proliferation of farm-raised imports as the impetus for the domestic industry’s collapse. State data show that in 2023, the fewest number of licensed commercial fishermen participated in the shrimp business on record, down to 270 compared to more than 1,000 in 1995. The dockside price of shrimp dropped to $2.14 per pound, worth a third or less of its 1970s value, adjusting for inflation. 

For The Assembly, Johanna F. Still talked with North Carolina producers who are optimistic about tariffs.

Some N.C. Businesses Are Actually Happy About Tariffs 

As Trump’s tariffs threaten to upend global commerce, for some North Carolina producers, they’re a welcome respite.

Thanks for reading The Dive, a weekly newsletter written by Wilmington editor Johanna F. Still and WHQR’s Benjamin Schachtman. Reach us with tips or ideas at wilmington@theassemblync.com.

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Last week, we published a piece diving into how a Wilmington widow’s appointment from Gov. Roy Cooper to the state dental board got spiked. WECT picked up the story and chatted with Johanna F. Still about her findings.

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Point, Counterpoint…ish

Last month, we reported on the hand-offs approach the UNCW administration took with a polarizing talk from Norman Goda, a Holocaust scholar who argues that genocide allegations against Israel fail to meet the legal definition of the crime. A respected speaker, he’s also met with resistance from pro-Palestinian activists who feel his focus on legal technicalities downplays the loss of life, most notably in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Goda’s talk at UNCW seemed like a good acid test of the new “neutrality” policy, which is supposed to ensure a balance of opinions for on-campus events, among other things. And, in the days leading up to the lecture and during the talk itself, pro-Palestinian students and community members asked for an event that provided a contrasting viewpoint to Goda.

But while a UNCW vice chancellor had said last year they would “provide the alternative point of view” to controversial events, when it came to Goda’s lecture, they more modestly offered to “take into consideration how to address alternative viewpoints.” The history department, which sponsored Goda’s talk, said their lecture budget was tapped. But Department Chair W. Taylor Fain said he hoped someone else would sponsor an event with a “perspective on events in Gaza different than Dr. Goda,” adding that the department would help promote it.

It appears that’s now happened–sort of.

Later this month, UNCW’s Muslim Student Association is presenting “What They Saw,” a talk with three healthcare workers who have volunteered in the Gaza Strip for the last 18 months.

While it’s not a direct counterpoint to Goda’s talk, it’s definitely intended to provide a different perspective on the conflict in Gaza. In a post on Instagram, UNCW MSA promised the event “will open your eyes to things you’ll never forget.”

The event was initially advertised as being promoted by both UNCW MSA and the International Studies Department. However, International Studies Department Chair Florentina Andreescu said the department asked to be removed from promotional material because their inclusion was “an error” (the online posts have since been updated). She deferred any other questions to MSA, which has not yet responded to a request for comment.

The History Department also didn’t want to be involved, but Fain said he was happy to see the event was being organized and felt it would be well attended.

“Because none of the participants are historians and the content of their presentation doesn’t appear to be historical, our department won’t be participating in any way,” Fain wrote in an email. “Still, I am sure that many of our students and faculty will be interested and will attend.”

–Benjamin Schachtman

Catch up on an audio conversation on last week’s edition here. Contact The Dive team with tips and feedback at johanna@theassemblync.com.

Around the Region

Coffee Clash: A café that rented space in the city’s Skyline Center said it faced serious issues trying to conduct business, a claim the city disputes, WECT reports. 

Bicycle, Bicycle: Sen. Michael Lee introduced a bill that would grant local governments the authority to regulate e-bikes, Port City Daily reports. 

Welcome to Miami: Wilmington International Airport has been on a tear lately, adding low-cost carriers and new nonstop routes. This week, Avelo announced new nonstop flights to Miami, Greater Wilmington Business Journal reports.

Around the State

N.C. Task Force on FEMA Urges ‘Cautious Approach’

The group recommends against some of the moves the Trump administration has already taken.

A Death In the Woods

Some families have turned to wilderness therapy programs to deal with kids’ mental health crises. But as last year’s death at Trails Carolina shows, there are concerns about oversight.

Why Hampton Dellinger Ended His Legal Battle Against President Trump

“I’m an optimist, but I’m also a realist,” the former head of the Office of Special Counsel said.