Month: October 2021

The trade war with China has caused American business owners to struggle since 2018. Data from Tariffs Hurt the Heartland shows that the trade war has cost U.S. businesses, workers, and manufacturers over $94 billion. 

Unfortunately, while the trade war continues to devastate the economy, this week United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai announced that the Biden administration will keep the previous administration’s failed tariff policy in place. Americans for Free Trade stands with American businesses and expressed disappointment in this news: 

“Leaving the tariffs in place will only continue the harm they’ve done to the American economy. President Joe Biden and Ambassador Tai should prioritize ending the trade war, rather than building on existing tariffs.”

Small business owners agree that it’s time to lift the tariffs. Ann Brunett of The Mitchell Group recently wrote that businesses like hers are doomed so long as harmful practices like the trade war are left untouched.

“If the tariffs are left in place, small-business owners like me will be burdened with the taxes that tariffs add to the products we need to satisfy our customers. Combined with the ballooning shipping crisis, a lot of businesses won’t be able to cope.”

Joe Bell of Aqua Filter Fresh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania echoed this sentiment and noted that ending the trade war is essential in order for our country’s economy to thrive.

“Unless President Joe Biden and United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai move to repeal those tariffs, there will be a large number of businesses and workers who won’t fully enjoy the fruits of the economic recovery.”

Business experts concur. “The path forward is clear: Biden and Tai cannot allow the Trump administration’s unacceptable and misguided trade policies to continue,” wrote Dewey Beach Commissioner Paul Bauer.

The time is now to end tariffs and help American businesses recover.

If you are interested in speaking with someone about the trade war and its negative impact on Americans, please contact press@americansforfreetrade.com.

WASHINGTON, D.C., (October 4, 2021) — Today, Americans for Free Trade spokesperson Jonathan Gold released the following statement expressing disappointment regarding United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s announcement of the Biden administration’s strategy for approaching trade with China.

“For more than three years, American businesses have been struggling with the costs created by tariffs on more than $350 billion in goods imported from China. The trade war is a failed policy of the previous administration, and we are disappointed to hear that the current tariffs will remain in effect. Leaving the tariffs in place will only continue the harm they’ve done to the American economy. President Joe Biden and Ambassador Tai should prioritize ending the trade war, rather than building on existing tariffs. At the minimum, the Biden administration must reopen the exclusions process for all products. Beyond this, it should also undertake an honest assessment of the impact the tariffs have had on the U.S. economy, businesses, workers, and innovation. We are calling on the Biden administration to be more transparent with all stakeholders in U.S.-China trade policy so it can formulate an approach that is better informed by the real impact tariffs like these have had.”