Axios Atlanta

April 11, 2025
π Friday has landed.
- Have you filed your taxes? (We haven't.)
Today's weather: Mostly sunny, with a chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 60s.
Situational awareness: Passover begins at sundown tomorrow. We hope it's a wonderful holiday for everyone celebrating.
π Happy early birthday to our Axios Atlanta member Irum Zaidi!
Today's newsletter is 827 words β a 3-minute read.
1 big thing: Georgia could get caught in the trade war crosshairs

The fast-escalating trade war between the U.S. and China could deliver a stiff blow to Georgia businesses.
Why it matters: If sky-high tariff rates announced Wednesday remain in place, many Peach State companies may no longer be able to compete in China's market, and vice versa.
Catch up quick: China announced Wednesday that it would subject most U.S. goods to 84% tariffs in retaliation for President Trump's 104% tariffs β which Trump promptly raised to 125%.
- Trump paused reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, saying dozens of countries had reached out to negotiate new trade deals. But he did not pause those against China, whom he blasted for retaliating.
Zoom in: China is Georgia's third-largest trading partner behind Canada and Mexico, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
- The state exported an estimated $4 billion in goods to China in 2023, the U.S.-China Business Council said.
What they're saying: Gov. Brian Kemp called Trump's tariffs on China "a good move," according to WSB-TV, saying "they are a big trading partner, but they also have been, as many say, ripping us off in a lot of different ways."
The intrigue: China is also a major market for Georgia's $6.7 billion poultry industry, the largest industry in the state.
The big picture: "For American farmers, who often operate on tight margins, an additional increase in export tariffs can be devastating," Georgia State University business professor Sina Golara told the outlet.
- "Some small- and medium-sized farms may struggle to remain competitive, potentially forcing some to shut down."
Meanwhile: On April 4, China included two Georgia-based poultry companies in a group of major U.S. agriculture firms barred from doing business in the country, citing concerns about product contamination.
Zoom out: More than 931,000 jobs were supported in 2022 by U.S. exports to China, according to the U.S. China Business Council.
- Georgia's share amounts to 28,010 jobs. Of those, 3,270 were in the state's 5th Congressional District, which includes Atlanta.
2. Yes, and: Georgia buys a lot from China

Georgia ranks among the top importers of China goods, according to U.S. Census data.
Why it matters: If the tariffs stand, stores will have to change a lot of their price tags.
3. At the Masters, a $1.50 pimento cheese sandwich steals the show
When is a pimento cheese sandwich a ritual? When it's at the Masters.
Why it matters: Golf fans who are lucky enough to score a badge to The Masters don't just rave about the drives and putts. They love the absurdly affordable food that has become legend.
Catch up quick: Augusta National is one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the world, but its menu at The Masters is priced for the masses.
- At the very top of the pyramid of culinary excellence: the $1.50 pimento cheese sandwich that comes with its own green jacket (a green plastic wrapper).
Fun fact: When Augusta National changed caterers in the early 2010s, the new vendor needed six months to finally recreate the closely guarded original recipe, Golf Digest reported in 2022.
The other side: Not everyone's a fan. The AJC's Ken Sugiura, who's covering the tournament all week, likened the rarified experience to "eating mushy cheddar cheese."
Make it at home: Unfortunately, the tournament's official packages that include pimento cheese, egg salad and other foods to host your own Masters party are sold out.
- However, the internet has plenty of recipes mimicking the famous sandwich. Give it your best shot while watching the tournament at home βΒ and use Duke's Mayonnaise.
Tell us: Have you tried one of these vaunted sammies? Drop us a line at [email protected] with your review, or your tips for recreating them at home.
4. Five-ish Points: UGA students' visas revoked
Some UGA students have had their visas revoked, and other international students are worried they could be targeted. (AJC)
π₯ Grady Health System will soon begin construction on a free-standing emergency department in Union City. (WABE)
βοΈ A judge's ruling could determine the extent that government contractors and vendors have to comply with Georgia transparency laws. (Atlanta Civic Circle)
π Shogatsu, a Shiba Inu that was stolen more than a year ago, has been reunited with its owner. (Rough Draft Atlanta)
π₯ A true crime docuseries produced by two Georgia journalists chronicles the people who travel across the country to attend court proceedings for murder trials. (Saporta Report)
5. 1 colorful thing to go: Hannah the model
ππ½ Kristal here.
Last week, I went to Red's Beer Garden to do a pop art session with members of the Atlanta Dog Mom social club.
The group teamed up with Southern Misfits Studios, which holds mobile art sessions around metro Atlanta, to paint sketches of our pups.
- We submitted photos of our dogs and Juleah Everglade, the founder of Southern Misfits, created elegant drawings of each person's fur baby.
It was so fun brainstorming which colors to use and seeing Hannah's portrait come to life (I kept it simple because it was my first time).
- I was pretty pleased with the results, even though Hannah's side eye makes me wonder if she expected better.
π€π½ Kristal thinks "What the Hell Have I" by Alice in Chains doesn't get enough love.
π§βπ¨ Thomas is getting ready to paint his house.
This newsletter was edited by Jen Ashley.
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