We Pay the Tariffs, American Small Business Importers React to Section 301 ‘Forced Labor’ Tariffs

WASHINGTON, D.C. Following the Administration’s announcement of new Section 301 tariffs of up to 12.5% on nearly all major trading partners, Dan Anthony, Executive Director of We Pay the Tariffs, a grassroots coalition of 1,200 small businesses, released the following statement:

“One simple fact shows the real motivation behind so-called 'forced labor' tariffs: the covered countries account for 99% of U.S. imports by value, but less than half of the countries in the Department of Labor’s List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor. You can’t address potential forced labor concerns in Côte d’Ivoire by slapping tariffs on Australian wine and Swiss cheese. Yet that is what we are supposed to believe from this Section 301 action.”

“Small businesses account for 97% of American importers, yet they have the least ability to influence foreign governments to change their policies, which is the stated goal of Section 301. Real progress is damn near impossible when the review does not cover areas where forced labor concerns are most prevalent.”

This week, We Pay the Tariffs released a report drawing on more than 200 American small businesses that have paid tariffs under IEEPA, Section 122, Section 301, and Section 232. Among the findings: 85% cut their profit margins and 83% raised prices due to tariff costs, and 93% expect new tariffs to hurt their business over the next year. The report features 80+ on-the-ground stories, and we can connect reporters with the businesses featured in it.

About We Pay the Tariffs

We Pay the Tariffs is a nonpartisan, grassroots coalition of 1,200 small businesses that seeks to illustrate how U.S. tariffs harm their American companies, workers, and customers. Members include manufacturers, distributors, retailers, restaurants, and other importers from every U.S. region. For more information: www.wepaythetariffs.com