U.S. Chamber Of Commerce: We Have To Persuade Trump To Think Twice About Tariffs

Beth Baumann | June 02, 2019 3:05 PM

The United States Chamber of Commerce has concerns with President Donald Trump's newly-announced tariffs on Mexico. Chamber Executive Vice President Neil Bradley told One America News that their legislative priority is getting the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) passed, but that can be difficult with the new tariffs on Mexico.

“One of the most positive things that’s happened in the last several weeks in terms of passage of USMCA was lifting the tariffs on steel and aluminum,” Bradley said. “That gave a jolt toward our efforts and the efforts of others to secure ratification. Now we just took an enormous step backwards.”

The Chamber believes it'll be difficult to get the agreement solidified with the new tariffs placed on Mexican goods.

"Imposing tariffs on goods from Mexico is exactly the wrong move. These tariffs will be paid by American families and businesses without doing a thing to solve the very real problems at the border. Instead, Congress and the president need to work together to address the serious problems at the border," Bradley said in a statement when the tariffs were originally announced.

According to Chamber analysis, the following states will suffer:

Trade with Mexico, which recently became the top U.S. trading partner, supports economic growth and jobs in every state. Businesses, workers, and families in the following states will be hit the hardest by this new action:
Texas ($5.35 billion tax): In total, Texas imported $107 billion worth of goods from Mexico in 2018. A 5% tariff would threaten $5.35 billion of state imports while a 25% tariff would threaten $26.75 billion of state imports.

Michigan ($2.8 billion tax): In total, Michigan imported $56 billion worth of goods from Mexico in 2018. A 5% tariff would threaten $2.8 billion of state imports while a 25% tariff would threaten $14 billion.

California ($2.2 billion tax): In total, California imported $44 billion worth of goods from Mexico in 2018. A 5% tariff would threaten $2.2 billion of state imports while a 25% tariff would threaten $11 billion.

Illinois ($657.7 million tax): In total, Illinois imported $13.2 billion worth of goods from Mexico in 2018. A 5% tariff would threaten $657.7 million of state imports while a 25% tariff would threaten $3.3 billion.

Ohio ($459.8 million tax): In total, Ohio imported $9.2 billion worth of goods from Mexico in 2018. A 5% tariff would threaten $459.8 million of state imports while a 25% tariff would threaten $2.3 billion

Arizona ($452.1 million tax): In total, Arizona imported $9 billion worth of goods from Mexico in 2018. A 5% tariff would threaten $452.1 million of state imports while a 25% tariff would threaten $2.26 billion.