The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has urged the administration to provide immediate relief from tariffs for small businesses. In a letter, the Chamber outlined three measures: granting automatic exclusions for small business importers, establishing an exclusion process for companies that can demonstrate tariffs threaten American jobs, and providing exclusions for products not produced in the United States or not readily available.
Suzanne P. Clark, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said, "The Chamber supports many of the President’s policy goals, including eliminating unfair trade and non-trade barriers, and driving American investment. At the same time, we have heard from a historic number of small businesses who have made it clear: they need immediate relief from tariffs."
Clark highlighted the increasing danger to small businesses due to higher costs and supply chain disruptions. She praised efforts to negotiate new trade agreements but emphasized that many businesses cannot afford to wait.
The letter is part of ongoing advocacy by the Chamber to assist businesses in obtaining necessary relief. The Chamber is hosting hundreds of small businesses as part of Small Business Month at its annual CO— Small Business Day event. Additionally, over 3,000 small businesses participated in a recent call organized by the Chamber to navigate tariff-related challenges.
In addition to aiding small businesses, the Chamber seeks to protect all sizes of businesses and their workers by advocating for an exclusion process for companies whose jobs are threatened by tariffs. The organization also calls on the administration to prevent consumer price increases through exclusions on products not produced domestically.
Clark further noted, "Whether it is coffee, bananas, cocoa, minerals or numerous other products, the reality is certain things just can’t be produced in the United States." She added that raising prices on these items would harm families struggling with bills and stressed protecting American workers from job losses due to tariffs.
She concluded by emphasizing collaboration with the administration: "We must work together to avoid a recession and to realize America’s economic potential."
Information from this article can be found here.
