Tariffs, fuel costs and interest rates squeeze U.S. companies

U.S. businesses are facing pressure from three directions at once: tariffs are making imported materials and goods more expensive, fuel prices are raising shipping and production costs, and higher interest rates are increasing the cost of financing inventory and equipment. The article highlights how these factors are hitting manufacturers, auto suppliers, logistics firms, and retailers. Smaller companies are often more exposed because they rely more on shortterm borrowing, while larger firms with stronger cash positions and longerterm debt are generally better insulated. Some companies are responding by raising prices, cutting less profitable routes or services, and holding more inventory. But executives and analysts say the ability to pass on costs depends on demand, leaving pricesensitive businesses under the most strain as margins narrow.