New Dems Hear from Small Businesses on the Harmful Impacts of Tariffs
New Dem Members met with small business owners and industry representatives to discuss the impact and costs of Trump’s tariffs on small businesses
Yesterday, New Dem Vice Chair for Outreach Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and New Dem Trade Task Force Chair Don Beyer (VA-08) hosted a roundtable discussion on how small businesses have been hurt by the Trump Administration’s sweeping tariffs.
Vice Chair Carbajal and Rep. Beyer, who is a member of the Ways & Means Committee and the Joint Economic Committee, were joined by several New Dem Members for the discussion, including New Dem Vice Chair for Communications Marc Veasey (TX-33), Leadership Member Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Reps. Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), and Lucy McBath (GA-06).
“President Trump’s chaotic tariffs have imposed a heavy burden on the American people, including our small business owners,” said Rep. Carbajal, Vice Chair for Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition. “Small businesses fuel the American economy, but President Trump’s tariffs act as deadweight for our entrepreneurs — leading to higher costs, lower margins, and tougher times. I’m grateful to our guests for sharing their stories. Their insights are vital as our Coalition works to champion a more stable economic future.”
“President Trump’s tariffs have driven up costs for American consumers and businesses alike, and I appreciate that they’ve joined us to shed light on the real challenges Americans are facing,” said Rep. Don Beyer, New Dem Trade Task Force Chair Don Beyer. “Unlike large corporations, most small businesses can’t bribe the president with gold bars, ornate plaques, or massive donations to his ballroom project. They also can’t afford to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to retain a MAGA-aligned lobbyist. As a result, while some companies have won exemptions or relief, small businesses have been left to absorb the full impact of these higher prices.”
During the roundtable, small business owners shared some of the specific challenges that they have faced since Trump took office and how his tariff policy has affected their ability to stay in business. Some of these challenges include their ability to source products, keep competitive pricing, hire staff, and more. Members and stakeholders also discussed the pain Trump’s tariffs have inflicted on small businesses, including how the Trump administration continues to impose tariffs despite the recent Supreme Court ruling and the Administration’s unclear plan to refund illegally collected tariffs. Last month, New Dems sent a letter to the Administration demanding answers and transparency on the refunds process.
Additionally, stakeholders shared ideas for what New Dems can do to create smarter, more durable trade policy that helps small businesses. Earlier this year, New Dems released our New Dem Affordability Agenda, which calls for Congress to restore its responsibility to oversee international trade and roll back Trump’s tariffs.
Roundtable guests included
- John Arensmeyer, Founder and CEO, Small Business Majority
- Eva St. Clair, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Princess Awesome
- Jonathan Gold, Vice President, Supply Chain & Customs Policy, National Retail Federation
- Sarah Wells, Founder, Sarah Wells Bags
- Dan Anthony, Executive Director, We Pay the Tariffs
- Ivy Horan, President, MGI Corporate Gifts
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