States Offer Business Opportunities Amid Tariff Turbulence
[Stay on top of transportation news: .]
OXON HILL, Md. — American and foreign companies can ride out federal tariff uncertainties by seeking business stability in states with favorable regulations, taxation policies and economic incentives.
This advice arose frequently in conversations with representatives who numbered among 54 states and territories wooing foreign investors May 11-14 at the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.
The annual conference attracted 5,500 attendees from more than 100 countries to learn about U.S. investment opportunities in presentations and face-to-face talks in an exhibition hall where states showcased their advantages.
Christopher Landau, deputy secretary of state, told foreign investors that President Donald Trump’s administration intends to improve economic results for American businesses and workers.
“To countries around the world, here is my message: We’re an administration you can do business with. We are open for business,” Landau noted May 13. “We want your investment, so please tell us what it will take. We look forward to inking many more investments and creating many more partnerships that are mutually beneficial.”
In March, Idaho Gov. Brad Little cut the income tax rate for individuals and business to 5.3% from 5.595%. (gov.idaho.gov)
While many attendees conceded companies prefer a stable business environment in contrast to ongoing roller-coaster tariffs, several state representatives noted federal political uncertainty can be offset by local and state governments.
In Idaho, for instance, in March enacted legislation shaving the income tax rate for individuals and businesses to 5.3% from 5.695%.
State (R) told Transport Topics that Idaho “is the least regulated state in the U.S.” and that the lower taxes is a cost advantage for companies.
“Businesses prefer predictability,” he added.
Attendees discuss business opportunities at the Ohio exhibit during SelectUSA at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. (Noel Fletcher/Transport Topics)
The southern part of the state’s “Magic Valley” is an easy drive to the capital of Boise, less than an hour from northern Nevada and a three-hour road trip to Salt Lake City.
“A front door to the U.S. market is a small state like Idaho, which may not seem that important. We only have 2 million people,” Anthon said. “But we’re very connected to our state and local government. You can pick up the phone and call the governor here.”
Southern Idaho is in need of transportation, warehousing, cold storage and logistics operations to support its growing ability to attract agriculture, agri-businesses, food processing and manufacturing firms. Late last year, for instance, opened a $65 million high-tech food manufacturing facility in Rupert. The 100,000-square-foot plant produces and packages frozen, fully baked Idaho potatoes.
Anthon predicted a demand for trucking since the region is building a reputation for food innovation through the University of Idaho’s Food Technology Center. His advice to trucking companies is to “follow that investment.”
Georgia also has a favorable business environment for American and foreign companies due to its fiscal responsibility and strong leadership, noted Pat Wilson, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), adding, “We’ve got a great story to tell.”
The Port of Savannah processed 5.6 million containers in 2024. (Georgia Ports Authority)
Last year’s exports of $53.1 billion were up 6.4% from the previous year. More than 50% of those exports were linked to markets where GDEcD maintains an international presence. Also, the last year experienced the most growth of any East and Gulf coast port due to its 5.6 million 20-foot-equivalent-unit throughput. Also, the is now the busiest in the U.S. for vehicles and heavy equipment. The economic impact of the state’s transportation and logistics industry has been estimated at $107 billion.
The state achieved a historic $16 billion budget surplus under Gov. Brian Kemp, who this year has enacted legislation to cut red tape and strengthen the state’s workforce and reform the tort system with actions such as stabilizing insurance costs for businesses and consumers and curbing predatory lawsuit abuse.
“Because we have a surplus, we can invest in generational infrastructure. We have a state-run port, and all profit is reinvested back into the port. The Georgia port system will be bigger than New York’s by 2030,” Wilson predicted. Georgia Ports Authority plans to invest $4.5 billion over the next decade. The Port of Savannah, the largest single-terminal container facility in North America, is expanding to handle more cargo.
This map shows the intersecting transportation networks within the Kansas City, Mo., logistics market. (KC SmartPort)
Meanwhile, representing a Midwestern area with a conducive environment for business was Chris Gutierrez, president of , part of the Kansas City Area Development Council in Missouri.
In June, he plans to take one of his largest business trips to Germany to visit 30 to 40 interested companies each in Munich, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Cologne and Düsseldorf.
“They need to have certainty, and there is very strong optimism with plans to invest in the U.S. market. They are out of capacity. They need to be in the U.S. and have to move forward,” Gutierrez said. “If we can get companies to visit Kansas City, we generally win because the business environment is very supportive.”
The Kansas City region offers a foreign trade zone, access to four major interstates, railroads, intermodal ports, inland waterways and a flux of 100 distribution employers.
“We have a central location. We don’t have congestion and choke points like other cities,” Gutierrez explained. “We can get any product to anywhere in the U.S. within two days efficiently.”
Want more news? Listen to today's daily briefing belowor go here for more info:
