We Pay the Tariffs: Turning Data into Advocacy

Effective advocacy depends on more than stories alone — it requires data that is timely, credible, and directly relevant to policymakers and the public. In 2025, We Pay the Tariffs built that foundation through a comprehensive state-level reporting effort.

WPTT produces monthly state reports for every state, quantifying the tariffs paid by businesses and tracking how those costs change over time. These reports translate complex trade data into clear, accessible insights that show how tariff policy affects local economies, industries, and businesses month after month.

By updating the reports monthly, WPTT ensured that the data remained relevant as tariff policies evolved and economic conditions shifted. This consistency allowed policymakers, journalists, and business owners to see not only the scale of tariff costs, but also trends — where costs were rising, where pressures were persistent, and how impacts differed across states.

The state reports became a central advocacy tool. They were used in congressional meetings, referenced in media coverage, and incorporated into broader discussions about trade policy and affordability. By pairing rigorous data with real-world stories, WPTT strengthened the credibility of small business advocacy and helped move the tariff debate beyond anecdote.

Together, these monthly reports reinforced a simple point: tariffs may be enacted at the federal level, but they are paid every month by businesses in every state. By making those costs visible, WPTT ensured that the economic impact of tariffs could not be ignored.