The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) issued a warning that American families and workers will be most impacted by the barrage of tariffs imposed on consumer products from China and U.S. exports to the European Union, Canada, Mexico and China.
The list includes:
- 25 percent tariff covering $34 billion in U.S. exports to China
- 25 percent tariff covering $34 billion in imports from China
- 10-25 percent tariff covering $12.5 billion in U.S. exports to Canada
- 10-25 percent tariff covering $3 billion in U.S. exports to Mexico
- 10-25 percent tariff covering $3.4 billion in U.S. exports to the European Union
“There is no longer a ‘threat’ of a global trade war; the battle has begun. These tariffs are officially being imposed on products sold by American businesses and consumed by American families.
“Americans are caught in the crosshairs of the administration’s three-front trade war, and they will be the ones paying the price. The recent onslaught of tariffs will jeopardize manufacturing and agriculture jobs in the U.S., while driving up prices on household items.
“Retailers support a level playing field for America on the global stage, but punishing American families and the millions of American workers whose jobs are supported by trade is not the way to strengthen our trading relationships. This tranche of tariffs on both exports and imports threatens our nation’s prosperity, and will imperil millions of jobs if allowed to persist.
“We continue to encourage the administration to focus its trade negotiations on solutions and shield American families from the barrage of tariffs coming from all directions,” said Hun Quach, VP of international trade for RILA.
RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.