To whom it may concern:

The recently imposed tariffs threaten our businesses, workers, customers, and the entire U.S. economy. As small businesses that form the backbone of the U.S. economy, we believe policymakers must know:

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We pay the tariffs. There is no “free tariff money” from foreigners. It comes from American businesses and creates nothing but bad options including: raising prices for our customers, laying off workers or cutting salaries and benefits, reducing investments, or taking high-interest loans. When even that is not enough, we will be forced to close. 

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Tariffs hurt small businesses most. We do not have tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars available to pay the new tariffs. Products are ordered months in advance, and it often takes months more for us to be paid. Many orders will be canceled, eliminating prospects for future sales or profits. 

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Tariffs will cause irreparable harms. Years of hard work, late nights, and sweat equity to build our businesses, create good jobs, and contribute to our communities will be wiped out in the very near future. Waiting 6 or 12 months for a potential solution is not viable. Many of our businesses will no longer exist. 
 

The President should immediately cancel the new tariffs. If the President will not, Congress should intervene to end all emergency tariffs and revoke the delegated authorities used to impose them. This is not a partisan issue. No individual – regardless of party – should be able to impose or remove hundreds of billions of taxes on a whim.

There is simply too much at stake for all Americans. ​