When President Donald Trump announced skyrocketing tariffs on Chinese imports, one inventor's dreams came crashing down. Anthony Mendoza, a 41-year-old Army vet and father of two from Phoenix, poured his heart into creating ChronoClean—a viral watch-cleaning device that caught the attention of antique watch enthusiasts around the globe.

The ChronoClean took off online, with Mendoza selling out his first batch of 500 units, earning around $60,000 in profit while meeting the demands of a fast-growing community of watch tinkerers. But just as he prepared for a second production run, disaster struck.

Trump's tariff tweet sent shockwaves through Mendoza's business plans, escalating duties to a staggering 145%. "I felt like my American dream had been ripped out of my hands," Mendoza lamented, highlighting how he believed his government's actions directly impacted small business owners like himself.

Navigating the New Normal

Initially, Mendoza sought to manufacture ChronoClean in the U.S. However, every American factory quoted him prices that were simply impractical; he couldn't compete against Chinese manufacturing costs. Opting to source his product overseas, he planned to sell it at an accessible $150 each—keeping prices low was crucial for attracting customers.

Following a boost from a popular YouTube account, Mendoza stocked up for his next batch of 500 devices. But as tariffs crept up and the specter of 145% loomed, he faced the grim reality that the device he was passionate about might soon be financially unfeasible to produce.

A Glimmer of Hope Amidst Chaos

Finally, after intense negotiations in Geneva, Mendoza caught a break when the tariff rate was reduced to 30%. He instructed his Chinese manufacturer to ship the units immediately. But even with the decrease, his shipping costs ballooned from $1,100 to $2,650 for the more recent order, cutting deeply into his profits.

The Tough Choices Ahead

Now, Mendoza finds himself in a precarious situation with a constantly shifting tariff landscape. He has started routing some orders to the U.K. to circumvent duties, but doing so further slices into his already thin margins.

"If tariffs return to 145%, I won't be able to import my next batch into the U.S.," he stressed. With a lead time of around five months, Mendoza is racing against the clock, needing stability to plan his next steps.

A Heartfelt Plea for Small Businesses

Mendoza is not just fighting for his business; he’s advocating for the American dream he believes has been distorted. "It's a slap in the face for small business owners," he said of the administration's push to shift manufacturing back to America. The irony of government policies making it impossible for entrepreneurs like him to thrive isn’t lost on him.

As a single parent working to put his daughters through college while running ChronoClean, Mendoza is more determined than ever. He reflects on his journey from soldier to small business owner, lamenting: "Here I am, having survived so much, and yet something as fundamental as my government is a barrier to my success. That’s not the America I know. It should be about giving everyone a fair shot."