(WASHINGTON) – Americans for Free Trade, a coalition of over 160 business organizations from every sector of the U.S. economy, today sent a letter to President Trump calling on him to postpone tariff increases scheduled to take effect starting next week. In the letter, the associations note that the proposed tariff increases come in the middle of the holiday shipping season, threatening to raise costs for consumers in the coming months.
“These tariff rate increases — some starting as early as Sunday — come at the worst possible time, right in the middle of the busy holiday shipping period,” the letter states. “U.S. consumers are driving the growth of the U.S. economy. Let’s ensure consumer confidence remains high and economic prosperity continues for the American families we serve and the American workers we employ every day.”
Americans for Free Trade, which unites business associations opposed to tariffs, represents many of the sectors and products that will be hit hardest by the recent trade war escalation. Beginning September 1, roughly $112 billion in goods will be hit by 15 percent tariffs, including on products ranging from apparel and footwear to televisions and Christmas decorations. The majority of apparel products (92 percent), footwear (52.5 percent) and home textile products (68.4 percent) from “List 4” will be subject to tariffs on the September 1 round, along with televisions and Christmas decorations. Additional 15 percent tariffs targeting $160 billion in imports will take effect December 15.
The full text of the letter sent today: View all signers HERE