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We Pay the Tariffs: Taking our Case Directly to Congress
In September 2025, small businesses did more than share their concerns about tariffs — they showed up in Washington to be heard . We Pay the Tariffs organized a two-day Capitol Hill lobby day that brought more than 100 small business owners to Washington, D.C . Over the course of two days, participants met with over 150 congressional offices across both the House and Senate , representing communities and industries from across the country. These meetings were not symboli
We Pay the Tariffs
1 day ago
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Signees Speak Out
Signees in Their Own Words: Texas
Texas small businesses are speaking out about the devastating impacts of the 2025 tariff proposals. One business owner who signed our letter shared the painful reality of unpredictable high tariffs: “The tariffs are an existential situation for us. We cannot manufacture our products in the US, and we cannot afford the tariff payments. In response to the tariffs from the first Trump administration, we've spent the past few years trying to move our manufacturing out of China, w
We Pay the Tariffs
Jul 9, 2025
Signees in Their Own Words: Arizona
Businesses across Arizona are being blindsided by unpredictable tariffs. One Arizona small business owner who signed our letter shared the devastating toll tariffs are taking on their operations: “We have four containers arriving that left before we could stop them. The tariffs are costing us hundreds of thousands of dollars we couldn’t plan for. We’ve already paid deposits on future orders we now have to forfeit. We simply can’t afford the goods and the tariffs.” This is th
We Pay the Tariffs
Jul 1, 2025
Signees in Their Own Words: Colorado
A small business owner in Colorado recently shared how rising tariffs are pushing them to the brink: “Currently, our product category faces a 17.6% duty. The recent 90-day extension raised that to 27.6%, pushing our total import tax to nearly 30%.” For small and mid-sized businesses, that kind of burden isn’t sustainable. They’re being forced to consider costly bank loans just to cover duties— before inventory even arrives . “Tariffs have potentially fatal consequences. They’
We Pay the Tariffs
Jun 29, 2025
Signees in Their Own Words: Washington
In Washington, small businesses are being pushed to the brink. One company, in operation for over 30 years, described how the ongoing tariffs have brought their planning—and future—to a standstill: "We have been in business over 30 years and if these tariffs continue, we will be forced to close down . There is no way we can afford to pay these huge taxes. We have paused all ordering and wait to see what happens. We cannot plan for the future or sign a new rental agreement, we
We Pay the Tariffs
Jun 24, 2025
Signees in Their Own Words: New Jersey
In New Jersey, small business owners are sounding the alarm on how tariffs are pushing them to the brink. One business owner shared this urgent message about what’s at stake: "I have done everything possible to manage costs, absorb losses, and avoid passing prices onto customers. But we are now at a breaking point . I am fighting to stay open—but the numbers no longer work. If this continues, I will most likely be forced to shut down. And I know I am not alone ." Tariffs aren
We Pay the Tariffs
Jun 22, 2025
Signees in Their Own Words: California
Small businesses in California are speaking out about how tariffs are disrupting innovation, delaying product launches, and threatening competitiveness. One California-based company shared how shifting trade policy is directly impacting their ability to grow: "As a small but growing company, we are disproportionately impacted by shifting tariffs and trade policies. These challenges pull vital resources away from innovation and product development. Unlike large corporations t
We Pay the Tariffs
May 28, 2025
Signees in Their Own Words: Michigan
Across Michigan, small businesses are feeling the pressure of rising tariffs. From higher costs to reduced hiring, our signees are speaking out about how trade policy is affecting their day-to-day operations. Here ’s what one had to say: "These tariffs are putting an incredible hardship on our 23-year-old company and we may go out of business as a result. Small business is the backbone of America, and it's being broken. " These are the voices of real businesses—your neighbor
We Pay the Tariffs
May 14, 2025
Signees in Their Own Words: Idaho
Across Idaho, small manufacturers are working hard to bring production back to the U.S.—but steep tariffs are making that vision harder to achieve. One company shared how devastating these tariffs can be: "Currently, we have a shipment import subject to the retaliatory tariffs amounting to $77,000. That is all of our Q1 profit ." Sign the letter to stand with small businesses.
We Pay the Tariffs
May 4, 2025
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