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Why Tariffs Are NOT Hurting These CEOs | Josh Smith & Bayard Winthrop #435 | The Way I Heard It

2025-05-07 Entertainment
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Mike Rowe
Mike Rowe
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Description

With all the conversations and drama surrounding the tariff situation, I thought it might be useful, (and fun) to hear from a couple CEOs who have stubbornly refused to become reliant on a supply chain made from links with foreign countries. Josh Smith makes the best knives in America, and Bayard Winthrop makes the best sweatshirts. Their respective businesses— @MontanaKnifeCompany and American Giant—are very different but share a few important things in common. Most notably, a determination to make their goods in America, come what may. For the first time in many years, that determination is being rewarded. Unlike so many of their competitors, Josh and Bayard are in no way impacted by the current tariffs, because their supply chain and their workforce are 100% American made. Their perspective on what’s happening with the global economy is important, and I’m glad to share it with you. #podcast #america #economy Shop Montana Knife Company: https://www.montanaknifecompany.com Shop American Giant: https://www.american-giant.com/mike Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/@therealmikerowe Subscribe to my new shorts channel for those of you with a short attention span: https://www.youtube.com/@therealmikeroweshorts I have a new show! Subscribe to my new show's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PYSKshow If you like me, and even if you don't, follow me. Much obliged. http://instagr.am/mikerowe/ http://fb.me/TheRealMikeRowe http://twttr.com/mikeroweworks 00:00 Chuck and I introduce the guests 00:54 Josh Smith shares his thoughts on recent U.S. tariffs 04:33 Companies respond to a 150% increase in cost of goods 06:55 What U.S. manufacturing would look like if we were at war today 10:24 How U.S. steel manufacturing has changed 16:17 Challenges with scaling production in U.S. manufacturing 19:47 How Josh’s company has grown 21:58 How to compete with AI 22:56 Whether the U.S. has a skills gap or a will gap 26:37 Josh Smith discusses his new knife supporting my foundation 32:18 How the message of “American-made” is resonating 34:04 Transition to conversation with Bayard Winthrop 34:24 How tariffs have affected American Giant 39:00 Effects of America’s shift to a consumption-driven economy 41:56 Whether the U.S. should rely on other countries for necessary goods 48:42 China’s unethical trade practices 51:45 What it takes to make a product 100% American-made 58:28 When it became difficult to instill work ethic 1:03:00 Current labor needs in the U.S.

Top Comments (10)

@jessicamalley6201 2025-05-08

Part of the problem with how we view goods now is the trend for the cheap and replaceable. This runs to everything, furniture, clothing, tools and goods across the board. Disposable, cheap goods verses repairable more expensive goods. So much used to be repairable in equipment and parts but is now throwaway and we have lost the skilled labor that could repair those items (motors various tools, etc). So we import cheap, loose the ability to build and repair or build things and try to figure out what went wrong. Many in my generation were raised to take care of what we have and not trash and replace.

166 24 replies
@GunnyArtG 2025-05-08

I’m a small manufacturer who took the decision from the beginning to keep my suppliers and manufacturing local and damn glad I did.

121 6 replies
@dougf7342 2025-05-08

First off, Mike Rowe, thank you for what you are doing for our country. I went and looked at the MKC website because I Terry a knife and was very impressed with the quality. Unfortunately, for me or them, I carry a folding knife. They specialize in straight knives. I will continue to try to buy from your advertisers and the people that you highlight. Great job Mike!

24 1 replies
@christopherbaisley 2025-05-08

A lot of manufacturers who are not on the stock exchange near me are actually starting to do better. The mainstream media does not see it because they are not on Wall Street.

23
@annthelen 2025-05-08

I’m getting educated at 63! I realize I can understand basic principles and have more intelligent conversations .. and I can do the moral “small things” as a consumer, and just generally live and and love as smartly as I can. Thanks for helping us see the forest for the trees.❤

15
@doloresshepard301 2025-05-08

Al or manufacturing jobs disappeared during the 80s and 90s . I worked 2 jobs while my husband worked 1 job, yet i get less than half the SS my husband gets. That's messed up! I still work at age 66 as a school bus driver. The children are great but there are those few who haven't had any parenting because the parents have to work. In the 70s, i did work manufacturing jobs, and i loved it. I felt like i was building important things.

11
@jamesmiller3791 2025-05-08

We need more people to be vocal about all of this and change the way America thinks about security love the info thank y’all for this

11
@lindabishop-surbeck2575 2025-05-07

I live about 7 miles from Crucible Steel, it had been going downhill for a few years. But, as the jobs keep going to overseas that’s a lot of jobs going away from here. Over the years we have lost Carrier Corp and New Venture Gear, jobs gone elsewhere!

11
@josephgangi6575 2025-05-08

Mike, Have you ever interviewed one of the out-of-the-workforce-not-looking-for-a-job individuals you speak about in this show? It would be a good show to hear you interview a FEW such people. I for one would like to hear their situations and their reasons for choosing, or being drawn into, this lifestyle.

8
@dingdongdaddy589 2025-05-08

Just remember, as the corporations say - we can’t foot the extra cost and have to increase product shelf costs - their CEO made a 30 million dollar bonus…

5

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