Ranking Member Markey, Senate Democrats Slam the Crushing Cost of Trump’s Tariffs for America’s Small Businesses

RM Markey: Small businesses obliterated by a more than $30 billion bill for Trump's tariffs

(Washington, September 18) - Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), alongside Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and small business owners from across the country, today hosted a press conference to highlight the burden Trump's tariffs have placed on small businesses and to call on his Senate colleagues to pass his Small Business RELIEF Act, which would provide support to small businesses suffering under Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs by exempting small businesses from the tariffs and refunding small businesses that were forced to pay them.

Ranking Member Markey released new data at the event that highlights nationwide and state-by-state tariff payments made by small businesses. Between March and July of this year, small businesses have paid approximately $30.1 billion, nearly one-third, of the $95 billion paid by all American businesses due to Trump's tariffs. The data is compiled by state, with California, Texas, New York, New Jersey, and Florida being the top five highest paying states. This data was derived by using U.S. Census state by state data on small business importers and We Pay The Tariffs' state by state data.

"President Trump has taken a strong economy and made it weak. He has turned Main Street into Pain Street. And, to hide the failing state of his economy, President Trump has been making up numbers, but today, we're exposing the truth," said Ranking Member Markey. "Since March, small businesses have been obliterated by a more than $30 billion bill for Trump's tariffs. President Trump has continued to say that these tariffs would be paid by other countries, but in reality, our small businesses are footing this bill. They should never have been part of this terrible policy, and they cannot wait for the courts to catch up. They need relief now."

"Everywhere in our country, small businesses are facing difficult decisions because of President Trump's sweeping tariffs. The tariffs are making it impossible for these businesses to plan for the future, so they are being forced to decide between cutting jobs and raising prices as they try to keep their doors open," said Senator Hirono. "Small businesses are vital to our communities, and they do not deserve to be subject to Trump's 'on-again, off-again' recklessness. So, I will continue working with Senator Markey and our other colleagues to shield these businesses from the devastating impacts of the tariffs and to ensure they receive the resources they need to survive."

"The pressure these tariff policies are putting on small businesses is simply unsustainable," said Legrand Lindor, Owner of LMI Textiles in Milton, MA. "After one of our most recent shipments we were hit with a $15,000 tariff bill. That's a massive cost for a small business. We distribute life-saving harm reduction supplies to health departments across the country, and when we're dealing with these kinds of surprise costs, it directly impacts the communities we serve. The Small Business RELIEF Act would provide the retroactive relief and predictable policies that businesses like mine desperately need to focus on our mission instead of just surviving the next tariff surprise. This legislation could be the lifeline that keeps essential services running in communities nationwide."

"Bottom line-this is unsustainable," said Nichole MacDonald, Founder of The Sash Bag. "I've been running my lifestyle brand for 13 years, but in the last two months alone, we've already paid $67,000 in tariffs. To bring the rest of my products back into the United States, I would need to pay an additional $370,000. The burden is so severe that I've had to lay off all my employees. People I could rehire tomorrow and provide with full benefits if these tariffs weren't standing in the way. We must act now, not just for my business, but for countless small business owners across the country who are fighting to keep their doors open."

"To Republican lawmakers: step up and vote to end the tariffs," said Rachel Rozner, Owner of Elden Street Tea Shop in Reston, VA. "We are the backbone of America. We are job creators, taxpayers, and community builders. This policy doesn't protect America-it punishes American businesses. I urge members of this body: Schedule the Small Business RELIEF Act for a vote today. Expedite tariff repayments for small businesses if the Supreme Court rules in our favor. Support small businesses now."

"Small businesses are facing real challenges from shifting tariffs," said Nunzio DeFilippis, Co-CEO of CargoTrans in Manhasset, NY. "Many of my clients are absorbing unexpected costs on materials they've relied on for years, which forces tough decisions, such as delaying expansion plans and slowing hiring to carefully weighing price increases that could affect key customer relationships. This kind of uncertainty makes it hard for small companies to plan for growth. The Small Business RELIEF Act offers meaningful relief by easing that burden, helping ensure these businesses remain the backbone of our communities."

"Small businesses are the backbone of our economy," said Julie Rothhouse, CEO of SynaVoice. "SynaVoice supports the Small Business RELIEF Act, which would provide relief to small businesses impacted by tariffs, allowing them to continue in their vital role in our economy."

"We have had to cut salaries, cut production, and raise prices to deal with massive tax increase of President Trump's tariffs," said Rebecca Melsky, Co-Founder of Princess Awesome in Reston, VA. "For our sake and the sake of all small business owners, we urge Congress to pass the Small Business RELIEF Act."

Last week, Ranking Member Markey introduced the Small Business RELIEF Act, which exempts small businesses from the "Liberation Day" tariffs and requires the President to provide refunds to small businesses who have paid them. Last month, Ranking Member Markey sent a letter to Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) Stephen Miran, calling on their respective agencies to establish and publicize procedures for refunding tariffs to American businesses. Earlier in August, Ranking Member Markey returned to the Senate floor to pass the Small Business Liberation Act, legislation that would exempt small businesses from the broad, reckless global tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Ranking Member Markey first attempted to pass the Small Business Liberation Act in May. Republicans blocked his legislation on the Senate floor on both occasions.

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