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Previewing the Florida Primary: Tariffs Deserve Significant Attention

Leading up to the Florida primary, tariffs remain a major problem that threaten business owners, farmers, and communities throughout Florida and across the United States.

Analysis from Tariffs Hurt the Heartland shows that to date, Florida taxpayers have paid $1.5 billion in additional tariffs since the trade war with China began. Beyond this, trade helps to support 2.4 million jobs in the state, and 145,300 jobs could be lost if Florida businesses don’t receive the relief they need from the trade war.

This alarming data is exactly why Democratic presidential candidates must show Floridians that they are dedicated to helping the state recover from the damage dealt by tariffs and lay out a plan to finally bring the trade war to an end. Florida is a key swing state, and ending the trade war is an issue Democratic candidates should be talking about. 

Alice Ancona, director of International Strategy and Policy with the Florida Chamber of Commerce noted that international trade accounts for a quarter of Florida’s economy and said that tariffs cause “a pretty significant impact.”

Americans are the ones paying for tariffs – not China. As the Miami Herald reported, Elliott Barnett’s company Dewitt Tool was faced with the unfortunate reality of deciding to raise prices due to the ongoing trade dispute with China.

“The future is simple: We will have to raise our prices,” Barnett said. “It’ll be passed on in the cost to build the bridge, to build the tunnel.”

While the Phase One Deal was a welcome step in the right direction, there is still a lot of work to be done to finally remove all tariffs that remain in place. Democratic presidential candidates need to show Floridians that it’s work they’re willing to do to revitalize the economy.

If you are interested in speaking with someone about the trade war and how it is hurting Florida residents ahead of the primary, please contact press@americansforfreetrade.com.

Previewing the Florida, Ohio, and Arizona Primaries: Tariffs Deserve Significant Attention

Looking ahead to the next round of Democratic primaries, tariffs remain a significant problem that threaten business owners, farmers, and communities throughout America and in key states such as Florida, Ohio, and Arizona.

Data from Tariffs Hurt the Heartland shows that to date, taxpayers in Florida, Ohio, and Arizona have paid a combined $3.6 billion in additional tariffs since the trade war with China began. Beyond this, trade supports over 3.8 million jobs in these three states, and 264,500 jobs could be lost if businesses don’t receive the relief they need from the trade war.

This is exactly why Democratic presidential candidates need to show Floridians, Ohioans, and Arizonans that they are laser-focused on helping these states recover from the damage brought by tariffs and lay out a plan to finally bring the trade war to an end. 

Americans are the ones paying for tariffs – not China. As the Miami Herald reported, Elliott Barnett’s company Dewitt Tool was faced with the upsetting reality of deciding to raise prices due to the ongoing trade dispute with China.

“The future is simple: We will have to raise our prices,” Barnett said. “It’ll be passed on in the cost to build the bridge, to build the tunnel.”

Unfortunately, as businesses continue to feel pressure from the trade war with China, those tariffs translate into higher prices for us all. Gary Yacoubian, who owns the Youngstown-based speaker company SVS Sound, described to Axios late last year what continued tariffs could mean for Ohio businesses and consumers in the year ahead:

“If the tariffs remain, I’m going to have to start making moves … Meaning: the consumer will pay, and I’ll pay, and then employees will pay, if we don’t grow according to plan.”

Industries across the spectrum are hurting because of tariffs. Speaking to KTAR last year, Arizona Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Glenn Hamer discussed how every industry in the state shoulders the burden:

“This will affect every sector of our economy, whether it’s mining, semiconductors. Agriculture always gets the brunt … It’s very, very important that the two leading economies in the world figure out a way to get to a good deal. End of story.”

While the Phase One Deal has provided some relief, much more work remains. That’s why it’s important that presidential candidates lay out a plan to remove all tariffs that have hurt Floridians, Ohioans, Arizonans, and Americans nationwide.

If you are interested in speaking with someone about the trade war and how it is hurting residents ahead of the primaries, please contact press@americansforfreetrade.com.

Americans for Free Trade Sends Letter to House Ways and Means Committee Urging Congress to Insist Trump Administration Immediately Lift All Tariffs


Despite Progress Provided by “Phase One” Deal, Tariffs Continue to Hurt American Businesses, Farmers, and Consumers

WASHINGTON, D.C.,– March 12, 2020 – Yesterday, Americans for Free Trade sent a letter to the House Ways and Means Committee to be included in the public record of the February 27th Committee hearing on U.S.-China Trade and Competition. 

“The Section 301 tariffs have sown uncertainty in the world’s economy and mistrust with trading partners. The American economy deserves a better approach,” 162 members of the AFT coalition wrote. “Tariffs diminish U.S. negotiating successes, not facilitate them, and we urge the Administration to pursue alternative, more strategic, means of leverage to hold China accountable. …We urge Congress to insist that the Administration lift all punitive China tariffs immediately.”

As part of the letter to the House Ways and Means Committee, AFT highlighted the Tariff Misery Impact, data showing that tariffs have cost Americans $50 billion since the trade war began. 

Full text of the letter may be found here and below:

March 11, 2020

The Honorable Richard Neal, Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means            

1102 Longworth House Office Building   
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Kevin Brady, Ranking Member, Committee on Ways and Means

1102 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515                           

Dear Chairman Neal and Ranking Member Brady:

The Americans for Free Trade Coalition, a broad alliance of American businesses, trade organizations and workers united against tariffs, respectfully submits this written statement to include in the public record of the Ways and Means Committee hearing on U.S.-China Trade and Competition, which took place on February 27, 2020. We appreciate the Committee holding the hearing on this important matter.

Our coalition represents every part of the U.S. economy including manufacturers, farmers and agribusinesses, retailers, technology companies, service suppliers, natural gas and oil companies, importers, exporters, and other supply chain stakeholders. Collectively, we support tens of millions of American jobs through our vast supply chains.  

We agree that our trading partners must abide by global trade rules, but the Administration must also pursue its trade policies in a manner that best serves the American economy.  Accordingly, we support the Administration’s efforts to address China’s unfair trading practices, including intellectual property violations, forced technology transfer, market-distorting subsidies, and more. We also appreciate the progress made by the “Phase One” agreement with China and the lifting of a small number of tariffs on Chinese imports. Nevertheless, we object to the unconventional and unpredictable methods the Administration has used – and Congress has allowed – to achieve those goals. The Section 301 tariffs have sown uncertainty in the world’s economy and mistrust with trading partners. The American economy deserves a better approach.

First, the “Phase One” deal does not address fundamental concerns with China’s industrial policies and massive subsidies that have created overcapacity in the global market and cost American businesses, farmers and consumers jobs and hurt the American economy. Indeed, the U.S. economy grew at its slowest pace last year since the president took office. Tariffs diminish U.S. negotiating successes, not facilitate them, and we urge the Administration to pursue alternative, more strategic, means of leverage to hold China accountable.  

Second, tariffs remain in place on $370 billion in goods, and it is American businesses, farmers and consumers who pay these taxes – not the Chinese. While the suspension of the List 4B tariffs and reduction in the List 4A tariffs were welcome steps, they fall well short of alleviating the burden this Administration has placed on Americans. In fact, Americans paid $72 billion in duties in fiscal year 2019 – a staggering 73 percent increase over fiscal year 2018. $50 billion of this increase is the direct result of the trade war. For U.S. companies importing components or finished products subject to the tariffs, these figures mean higher prices, job losses and reduced investment. These increased tariffs will cost the average American household $1,277 in 2020 – nearly eliminating any savings enjoyed as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs ActWe urge Congress to insist that the Administration lift all punitive China tariffs immediately.  

Third, the Section 301 product exclusion process needs significant improvement. There have been numerous reports about the inconsistency with which the exclusion process has been administered, the opaqueness with which USTR makes decisions on exclusion petitions and the overall sluggishness of the process. We urge Congress to increase its oversight of the exclusion process and demand that USTR administer the process in a fair, transparent and efficient manner to ensure that it provides meaningful relief for those bearing the brunt of these harmful tariffs.

Finally, we have attached two documents for your reference:  (1) AFT’s Tariff Misery Index, which demonstrates the economic impact that the Section 301 tariffs are having on the U.S. economy; and (2) a list of recent studies on the economic impact of the tariffs.

In summary, we appreciate the progress provided by the “Phase One” deal, but much more needs to be done to secure meaningful structural reforms from China and to remove the tariffs that are hurting Americans. We thank the Committee for holding this hearing and look forward to additional hearings on these critical issues.

Previewing the Michigan Primary: Tariffs Deserve Significant Attention

As we approach the Michigan primary, it is important to remember the damage that tariffs have done to businesses, communities, and families across the state, as well as the risk they continue to pose to Michigan’s economy. 

As research from Tariffs Hurt the Heartland shows, Michigan taxpayers have paid $2 billion in additional tariffs to date thanks to the trade war with China, with costs only projected to increase. Given that trade supports 1.1 million jobs in the state, this is especially alarming because the trade war could cost Michigan 61,700 jobs.

Democratic candidates should tell Michiganders how they plan to bring the trade war to an end and finally eliminate the tariffs that are weighing down the state’s economy. 

Michigan manufacturing companies in particular bear a significant portion of the burden from the trade war, as Coliant Corp. CEO John Swiatek recently revealed to the Detroit Free Press

“The current tariffs and trade war have made it nearly impossible for a company like ours to bring in revenues from around the world to here in Michigan … Meanwhile, other high-tech countries like Germany and China are enjoying the competitive benefit of this disruption.”

Beyond manufacturing, small businesses have been feeling the pain from tariffs as well. Unfortunately, as small businesses deal with higher costs from tariffs, they have no choice but to increase prices for consumers. Barb Stein, who owns Great Northern Trading Co., explained small businesses’ predicament to MLive:

“I’m hearing from my suppliers that some have already instituted a price increase, some are promising one at certain deadlines … It’s definitely going to affect prices for consumers.”

While the Phase One Deal makes some strides toward providing relief from the trade war, plenty of work still remains. If Democratic candidates want to show voters how they will help support Michigan’s economy and jobs, they should talk about their plans to remove all tariffs and protect Michigan’s economy.If you are interested in speaking with someone about the trade war and how it is hurting Michiganders ahead of the primary, please contact press@americansforfreetrade.com.

Previewing the North Carolina Primary: Tariffs Deserve Significant Attention

As we prepare for the upcoming North Carolina primary, it is important to keep in mind the detrimental effects that tariffs have had on North Carolinians. 

As data from Tariffs Hurt the Heartland reveals, North Carolina taxpayers have paid $1.2 billion in additional tariffs since the trade war with China first began. 

Democratic presidential candidates cannot ignore the negative impact that the trade war has had on North Carolina’s economy. Trade supports over 1.2 million jobs in the state, and 63,500 jobs could be lost if tariffs are not lifted.

Tariffs are taxes paid for by North Carolina families, farmers, businesses, and communities, and industries across the entire state are bearing the costs. Agriculture, which is the largest sector of North Carolina’s economy, has been hit particularly hard, with exports of tobacco and soybeans sharply declining. 

In November, NPR reported that the trade war with China is particularly hurting tobacco farmers in North Carolina. Brian Leggett, who has grown tobacco for 15 years, said: 

“I don’t know of a grower in North Carolina that has a plan for next year. Survival is the plan right now.”

Without tariff relief, farmers will continue to lose money from some of North Carolina’s most important industries. 

Despite the recent Phase One Trade Agreement between the U.S. and China, problems still persist. China is one of North Carolina’s largest export markets, making trade relations with China a vital part of the state’s economy. According to a story in the News and Observer, the trade war has “decimated” the export market in North Carolina. In 2017, North Carolina tobacco farmers exported $162 million in crops to China, but in 2018 that number dropped to $4 million.

As Larry Wooten, farmer and president of the N.C. Farm Bureau said about the impact of the trade wars:

“The damage is deep and it’s ongoing.”

It’s time for every candidate to commit to removing all tariffs that remain in place and finally bring an end to the trade war that is devastating the economy.

If you are interested in speaking with someone about the trade war and how it is hurting North Carolina residents ahead of the primary, please contact press@americansforfreetrade.com.

Previewing the Virginia Primary: Tariffs Deserve Significant Attention

As we prepare for the Virginia primary, it is important to keep in mind the significant effects that tariffs have had both in the Commonwealth and across the country.

As data from Tariffs Hurt the Heartland reveals, Virginia taxpayers have paid $785 million in additional tariffs since the trade war with China first began. 

Democratic presidential candidates cannot ignore the negative impact that the trade war has had on Virginia’s economy. 

Trade supports 1.1 million jobs in the Commonwealth, and 64,500 jobs could be lost if tariffs continue. The Washington Post reported that chief executive of Northwest Hardwoods Nathan Jeppson canceled a $1.8 million order for forklifts, shuttered a pair of sawmills in Virginia, and laid off 130 workers due to the fallout from President Trump’s trade war with China.

“Roughly 25 to 30 percent of our revenues have disappeared,” Jeppson said. “It’s been devastating.”

Tariffs are taxes paid for by Virginia families, farmers, businesses, and communities, and industries across the entire state are bearing the costs from soybean and tobacco farmers, to auto manufacturers and lumber producers. Virginia Business highlighted how John Wesley Boyd Jr., a soybean farmer in Mecklenburg, Virginia, has been struck by tariffs.

“We’re in trouble. … The prices have dropped dramatically and we don’t see any end in sight.”

Despite the signing of the recent Phase One Deal between the U.S. and China, trade uncertainty still remains. Shelley Barlow, a cotton farmer in Suffolk, Virginia explained in the Hampton Roads Business Journal how farming is an optimistic industry and the current tariff situation is unsustainable: “We have got to get back to some sort of normalized trade.”

While the Phase One Deal has provided some relief, much more work remains. That’s why it’s important that presidential candidates lay out a plan to remove all tariffs that have hurt Virginians and Americans nationwide.

If you are interested in speaking with someone about the trade war and how it is hurting Virginians ahead of the primary, please contact press@americansforfreetrade.com.

Previewing the Minnesota Primary: Tariffs Deserve Significant Attention

In the lead-up to the Minnesota primary, tariffs remain a major problem that threaten business owners, farmers, and communities throughout Minnesota and across the United States.

Analysis from Tariffs Hurt the Heartland shows that to date, Minnesota taxpayers have paid $932 million in additional tariffs since the trade war with China began. Beyond this, trade supports 752,100 jobs in the state, and 36,800 jobs could be lost if Minnesota businesses don’t receive the relief they need from the trade war.

This is precisely why Democratic presidential candidates need to show Minnesotans that they are dedicated to helping the state recover from the damage dealt by tariffs and lay out a plan to finally bring the trade war to an end. 

As the trade war continues to drag on, it’s becoming more apparent than ever that Americans are the ones paying for tariffs — not China. The Star Tribune recently reported on this, noting that the only certainty business owners can count on with tariffs is the uncertainty they cause. Michael Minsberg, the president and co-owner of Creative Lighting in St. Paul, spoke to this point: 

“If relief is on the horizon, it has not gotten to us … Tariffs … are actually a
status quo situation that everyone has gotten used to.”

Minsberg isn’t alone, either. Late last year, NPR shed a spotlight on Dan Digre, the president of Misco Speakers in St. Paul. According to Digre, it’s American businesses like his that are paying for the tariffs: 

“It comes out of our bottom line … And that’s the money that we need to be
reinvesting in new technology, in new products — all of the things that makes
your business competitive in a global economy.”

The harm caused by tariffs spreads beyond the small business industry into the agricultural sector as well. Soybean farmers have been at the center of the U.S.-China trade war, and that holds especially true in Minnesota, which is the third-largest producer of soybeans in the U.S. Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Peterson has even spoken out on the issue, as reported in MinnPost:

“These tariffs are definitely hurting Minnesota farmers right now … Losing any
market is incredibly painful, and it’s resulted in farm income is at an historic
low.”

While the Phase One Deal serves as a step in the right direction, there is still a lot of work needed in order to finally remove all tariffs that remain in place, and Democratic presidential candidates need to show Minnesotans that it’s work they’re willing to do. 

If you are interested in speaking with someone about the trade war and how it is hurting Minnesota residents ahead of the primary, please contact press@americansforfreetrade.com.

Previewing Super Tuesday: Tariffs Deserve Significant Attention

Looking ahead to Super Tuesday, tariffs remain a significant problem that threaten business owners, farmers, and communities throughout America and in key states such as Minnesota, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Data from Tariffs Hurt the Heartland shows that to date, taxpayers in Minnesota, North Carolina, and Virginia have paid a combined $2.9 billion in additional tariffs since the trade war with China began. Beyond this, trade supports over 2.3 million jobs in these three states, and 164,800 jobs could be lost if businesses don’t receive the relief they need from the trade war.

This is exactly why Democratic presidential candidates need to show Minnesotans, North Carolinians, and Virginians that they are laser-focused on helping these states recover from the damage brought by tariffs and lay out a plan to finally bring the trade war to an end. 

As the trade war continues to drag on, it’s becoming more apparent than ever that Americans are the ones paying for tariffs — not China. Late last year, NPR shed a spotlight on Dan Digre, the president of Misco Speakers in St. Paul. According to Digre, it’s American businesses like his that are paying for the tariffs: 

“It comes out of our bottom line … And that’s the money that we need to be
reinvesting in new technology, in new products — all of the things that makes
your business competitive in a global economy.”

Agriculture, the largest sector of North Carolina’s economy, has been hit particularly hard, with exports of tobacco and soy sharply declining. As Larry Wooten, farmer and president of the N.C. Farm Bureau said about the impact of the trade wars:

“The damage is deep and it’s ongoing.”

Despite the signing of the recent Phase One Deal between the U.S. and China, trade uncertainty still remains. Shelley Barlow, a cotton farmer in Suffolk, Virginia explained in the Hampton Roads Business Journal how farming is an optimistic industry and the current tariff situation is unsustainable: “We have got to get back to some sort of normalized trade.”

While the Phase One Deal has provided some relief, more work remains. That’s why it’s important that presidential candidates lay out a plan to remove all tariffs that have hurt Minnesotans, North Carolinians, Virginians, and Americans nationwide.

If you are interested in speaking with someone about the trade war and how it is hurting Super Tuesday residents ahead of the primaries, please contact press@americansforfreetrade.com.

AFT: House Ways and Means Committee Hearing Reaffirmed Tariffs Hurt American Businesses, Must Be Removed

WASHINGTON, D.C., (February 27, 2020) – Today, spokesperson for Americans for Free Trade Jonathan Gold released the following statement regarding the House Ways and Means Committee hearing on U.S.-China Trade and Competition: 

“Testimony at yesterday’s House Ways and Means Committee hearing reaffirmed what so many American businesses, farmers, consumers, and workers know to be true — tariffs are hurting our economy, killing American jobs, and creating uncertainty that hinders investment and economic growth. China must be held accountable for their unfair trade practices, but President Trump’s trade war and tariffs are not the solution. Just last week, White House economists confirmed that the trade war has depressed our economy. While the Phase One Deal is a step in the right direction, the administration must go further and negotiate a Phase Two Deal that completely lifts all tariffs.”

Previewing the South Carolina Primary: Tariffs Deserve Significant Attention

Good morning – 

As we prepare for the South Carolina primary, it is important to keep in mind the detrimental effects that tariffs have had both on South Carolinians and hardworking Americans across the country.

As data from Tariffs Hurt the Heartland reveals, South Carolina taxpayers have paid $836 million in additional tariffs since the trade war with China first began. 

Democratic presidential candidates cannot ignore the negative impact that the trade war has had on South Carolina’s economy. Trade supports 550,700 jobs in the state, and 31,500 jobs could be lost if tariffs continue.

Tariffs are taxes paid for by South Carolina families, farmers, businesses, and communities, and industries across the entire state are bearing the costs. For example, Statehouse Report notes that corn, soybeans, and cotton – which are the three crops most affected by the U.S.-China tariffs – occupy more than 1.3 million acres in the state and account for a half billion dollars of the agricultural products grown in South Carolina. Without tariff relief, farmers will continue to lose money from some of South Carolina’s most important crops.

Manufacturing has suffered from tariffs as well. In August, The State reported on manufacturing closures in South Carolina, with Russ Gibson, head of operations for Anachroma U.S., Inc.’s plant in Martin, S.C., saying this:

“For us, (the trade war is) hurting the U.S. manufacturing industry … This is an unintended consequence of the tariffs. It’s causing people their livelihood in the last 24 hours, and will continue if we do not see immediate action.”

Despite the recent Phase One Trade Agreement between the U.S. and China, problems still persist. China has been the state’s largest export market since 2013, making trade with China is a vital part of South Carolina’s economy. As Greenville Mayor Knox White told the South China Morning Post, it can be hard to recover once the initial tariff damage sets in:

“The disruption of those relationships and how far-reaching that will be, whether they can be repaired and how long it would take to repair them, those are consequences we will be living with no matter if everything was over with tomorrow … People move on.”

It’s time for every candidate to commit to removing all tariffs that remain in place and finally bring an end to the trade war that is devastating the economy.

If you are interested in speaking with someone about the trade war and how it is hurting South Carolina residents ahead of the primary, please contact press@americansforfreetrade.com.