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Why Refunds Aren't a Windfall: WPT's Dan Anthony on CNN
We Pay the Tariffs wanted to highlight recent comments from our Executive Director, Dan Anthony, on CNN as questions continue to surface around how tariff refunds may, or may not, translate into consumer price relief. Dan’s message aligns closely with concerns we've heard from partner organizations across the business community, and undercuts certain efforts to politicize the refunds as a “windfall." We wanted to share them as a resource. A few of Dan's key points: On the rea
We Pay the Tariffs
Apr 28
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WPTT News
Tariffs on Vietnam Threaten U.S. Small Businesses
For the first time ever in March, monthly United States imports from Vietnam exceeded those from China. This is part of a stunning supply chain shift, as American companies heeded the call from multiple Presidents and bipartisan leaders to reduce reliance on China: the U.S. imported 3x more from China than Vietnam in 2024, 5x more from China in 2021, and 11x (!) more as recently as 2018. So of course USTR announced a new, Vietnam-specific Section 301 investigation that coul
We Pay the Tariffs
Jun 4
Small Businesses Brace for Potential New Tariffs
For many small businesses, the challenge is not just current tariffs, it is the looming possibility that new tariffs could be coming. Preliminary results from the new We Pay the Tariffs survey show: 94% of respondents expect future tariffs, including potential Section 122 and Section 301 actions, to negatively impact their business. More than 57% say they expect those tariffs to very negatively impact their operations. Small business describe their issues with additional Sec
We Pay the Tariffs
May 26
The Reality of Passing Through Tariff Costs
Small businesses facing higher tariff costs are often left with two difficult options: absorb the costs themselves or pass them on to consumers. Preliminary results from the new We Pay the Tariffs survey show that more than 80% of small businesses have raised their prices because of tariffs. One company with 11 employees explained why they had no other option: “80% of our products are imported and our margins are tenuous enough that we cannot absorb much of the price. We've
We Pay the Tariffs
May 21
Small Businesses Face Growing Uncertainty Under Tariffs
For many small businesses, tariffs do not just mean higher costs. They also create uncertainty that makes it harder to plan investments, manage inventory, maintain customer relationships, and focus on long-term growth. Preliminary results from the new We Pay the Tariffs survey found that, because of tariffs, nearly 55% of respondents delayed or cancelled expansion or investment plans. One small business described how the financial strain from tariffs forced the company to put
We Pay the Tariffs
May 18
IEEPA Refunds Could Be a Lifeline for Small Businesses
While tariffs have imposed significant financial strain on businesses, IEEPA refunds could provide a lifeline for many small companies. Preliminary results from the new We Pay the Tariffs survey show: Nearly half of respondents say refunds are critical to their business’ survival. More than 25% could avoid closure altogether with help from refunds. Half of respondents say refunds would help resolve debt issues. One small business with 12 employees shared: “We are deeply in de
We Pay the Tariffs
May 14
Tariff Costs Understate the Impacts on Small Businesses
The United States has collected a staggering amount of (mostly illegal) new tariffs – yet even these drastically understate the impacts. Why? You don’t collect tariffs on canceled or reduced orders. Preliminary results from the new We Pay the Tariffs survey found that tariffs have forced over 60% of respondents to reduce inventory and/or import values. In practice, this means scaling back product lines, having less inventory onhand, and rethinking whether they can continue op
We Pay the Tariffs
May 13
The Myth of Made in America
Tariffs are often sold as a way to re-shore manufacturing, but many small businesses have no viable alternatives to imports. Based on preliminary results from the new We Pay the Tariffs survey, 97% of respondents have been unable to identify any U.S. suppliers that can meet their product specifications and budget. In some of the most frustrating cases to read, small businesses are stuck paying the tariffs even though American manufacturers seem uninterested in selling more:
We Pay the Tariffs
May 11
We Pay the Tariffs Survey: Tariffs Weigh on Small Business Growth
Tariffs have impacted small business growth. Preliminary results from a survey by We Pay the Tariffs found the following: Only 12% of respondents say their business has grown over the past year. Nearly 60% of respondents say that their business has declined. When asked whether tariffs were to blame… Over 95% of respondents say tariffs were a factor. Over 70% of all respondents said tariffs were a major factor. One business with 14 employees highlighted the unintended consequ
We Pay the Tariffs
May 8
We Pay the Tariffs Launches National Small Business Survey
We Pay the Tariffs has launched a new survey (also below) on small business tariff impacts, the IEEPA refunds/process, and future tariff expectations. Please help us reach our (lofty) goal of 500 respondents by May 15 by answering the survey now and/or sharing it with other impacted small businesses. The end product will be a report with quantitative benchmarking and company anecdotes. No company-specific info will be published without explicit permission. The ~100 respons
We Pay the Tariffs
May 5
Why Refunds Aren't a Windfall: WPT's Dan Anthony on CNN
We Pay the Tariffs wanted to highlight recent comments from our Executive Director, Dan Anthony, on CNN as questions continue to surface around how tariff refunds may, or may not, translate into consumer price relief. Dan’s message aligns closely with concerns we've heard from partner organizations across the business community, and undercuts certain efforts to politicize the refunds as a “windfall." We wanted to share them as a resource. A few of Dan's key points: On the rea
We Pay the Tariffs
Apr 28
Coalition Members Speak Out: Four Small Businesses, One Tariff Reality
Across the country, small business owners are stepping forward to share what tariffs have meant for their businesses. Not in theory, but in real numbers, real decisions, and real consequences. Four members of the We Pay the Tariffs coalition recently published op-eds in outlets across the country. Each story is different, but together they reveal a consistent pattern: tariffs created immediate financial pressure, and refunds are essential for recovery. Four Stories from Coali
We Pay the Tariffs
Apr 8
American Businesses Paid $246 Billion in Presidential Tariffs from March 2025 to January 2026
New January data shows $23 billion in extra tariffs collected, of which over 40% were unaffected by SCOTUS decision; IEEPA tariffs that were struck down already have been largely replaced, and the administration launched new tariff reviews this week Also: See what companies in each state has paid in now illegal IEEPA tariffs HERE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 12, 2026 - We Pay the Tariffs today released comprehensive national and state-by-state data today on
We Pay the Tariffs
Mar 12
Missouri Small Businesses Demand their $1.1 Billion in Illegal Tariffs Back
Missouri Small Business Interviews Available: Missouri businesses paid over $1.1 billion in now-illegal IEEPA tariffs from February-December 2025 and are calling on Congress to ensure fast, full, automatic refunds. Meanwhile, the administration has doubled down with new Section 122 tariffs days after the Supreme Court ruling and has taken steps to delay refunds of the illegal tariff payments. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON, D.C. -- March 5, 2026 -- Missouri small businesse
We Pay the Tariffs
Mar 6
Indiana Small Businesses Demand their $3.3 Billion in Illegal Tariffs Back
Indiana Small Business Interviews Available: Indiana businesses paid over $3.3 billion in now-illegal IEEPA tariffs from February-December 2025 and are calling on Congress to ensure fast, full, automatic refunds. Meanwhile, the administration has doubled down with new Section 122 tariffs days after the Supreme Court ruling and has taken steps to delay refunds of the illegal tariff payments. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON, D.C. -- March 5, 2026 -- Indiana small businesses a
We Pay the Tariffs
Mar 6
Illinois Small Businesses Demand their $6.7 Billion in Illegal Tariffs Back
Illinois Small Business Interviews Available: Illinois businesses paid over $6.7 billion in now-illegal IEEPA tariffs from February-December 2025 and are calling on Congress to ensure fast, full, automatic refunds. Meanwhile, the administration has doubled down with new Section 122 tariffs days after the Supreme Court ruling and has taken steps to delay refunds of the illegal tariff payments. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON, D.C. -- March 4, 2026 -- Illinois small businesse
We Pay the Tariffs
Mar 6
Arizona Small Businesses Demand their $1.6 Billion in Illegal Tariffs Back
Arizona Small Business Interviews Available: Arizona businesses paid over $1.6 billion in now-illegal IEEPA tariffs from February-December 2025 and are calling on Congress to ensure fast, full, automatic refunds. Meanwhile, the administration has doubled down with new Section 122 tariffs days after the Supreme Court ruling and has taken steps to delay refunds of the illegal tariff payments. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON, D.C. -- March 4, 2026 -- Arizona small businesses a
We Pay the Tariffs
Mar 6
Tennessee Small Businesses Demand their $3.5 Billion in Illegal Tariffs Back
Tennessee Small Business Interviews Available: Tennessee businesses paid over $3.5 billion in now-illegal IEEPA tariffs from February-December 2025 and are calling on Congress to ensure fast, full, automatic refunds. Meanwhile, the administration has doubled down with new Section 122 tariffs days after the Supreme Court ruling and has taken steps to delay refunds of the illegal tariff payments. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON, D.C. -- March 5, 2026 -- Tennessee small busine
We Pay the Tariffs
Mar 5
Statement on Court of International Trade Ruling Ordering Full IEEPA Tariff Refunds
WASHINGTON — Dan Anthony, Executive Director of the We Pay the Tariffs coalition, issued the following statement in response to today's Court of International Trade ruling ordering full refunds of IEEPA tariffs.
We Pay the Tariffs
Mar 4
As President Visits Texas to Tout Economy, Small Businesses Demand their $11 Billion in Illegal Tariffs Back
Texas businesses paid over $11 billion in now-illegal IEEPA tariffs from February-December 2025 and are calling on Congress to ensure fast, full, automatic refunds . Meanwhile, the administration has doubled down with new Section 122 tariffs days after the Supreme Court ruling. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON, D.C. -- February 27, 2026 -- As President Donald Trump visits Texas to tout the economy today, Texas small businesses are asking two questions: when will they see ref
We Pay the Tariffs
Feb 27
ICYMI: TARIFF REFUND LETTER AND SCOTUS RESPONSE COVERAGE
50+ print and digital clips • 2 wire services (AP + Reuters) • Hundreds of AP syndication pickups • 14+ Dan Anthony quotes • 10+ WPT member businesses quoted by name • 48-hour coverage window
We Pay the Tariffs
Feb 25
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