WHEELING — Local economic experts suspect trade tariffs imposed by the Trump administration last spring won’t have a long-term negative effect on inflation and prices paid at the supermarket.

The Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Economic Outlook Conference at the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack on Wednesday morning. Speakers included David H. McKinley, president and chief investment officer and McKinley-Carter Wealth Services; and John Deskins, assistant dean and director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the West Virginia University College of Business and Economics.

McKinley pointed out to those present that tariff rates rose dramatically to 30% in April 2025 following action by the Trump administration. The rate is now at 19%.

“These tariffs

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