Last month, a number of company and industry representatives testified before trade officials in Washington D.C. about how Section 301 tariffs on imports from China will affect them. The hearings lasted more than 45 hours, with witnesses allowed to speak for five minutes each.
Reproduced below are a few of the many retail and distribution industries’ feedback drawn from US Trade Representative transcripts:
Jo-Ann Stores, Hudson, Ohio
“The proposed tariffs would unintentionally amount to a Made in America tax on sewing and crafting projects completed by Americans. As a result there will be an incentive to move production and jobs away from the United States.” – Jill Soltau
Inmotion, Blacksburg, Virginia
“In short, Inmotion would be severely harmed by additional duty on these items. A problem to which I see no viable business recourse. And their inclusion on this tariff list would likely have little impact on China.” – John Stemen
Micro Electronics, Hilliard, Ohio
“Given that the profit margins on these products are slim, as well as the fact that we expect to see a steep drop in sales due to this action, Micro Center cannot sustain an additional ten percent tariff, let alone 25 percent.” – Richard Mershad
Richloom Fabrics Group, New York, New York
“We have already seen the beginning of a slowdown in this industry as a result of the first two rounds of tariffs.” – Michael Saivetz
Max Home, Fulton, Misssissipi
“This will not benefit U.S. producers, U.S. jobs or U.S. furniture. On the contrary, it will eliminate U.S. jobs and shift the majority, if not all of the production processes, oversees.” -Martin Silver
Step2 Discovery, Streetsboro, Ohio
“As a medium-sized U.S. company, the proposed tariffs would likely cause a domino effect down the entire value chain, ultimately impacting our entire family of companies.” – Anthony Ciepiel
Display Supply & Lighting, Itasca, Illinois
“A 25 percent ad valorem duty wipes out our gross profit margin. It would put us out of business.” – Rob Cohen
