Dozens of retailers testified about how Trump’s trade war with China could affect them — here’s what they said – Finance

The Trump administration has threatened to set tariffs for all Chinese products coming to the US. In addition to the round of duties on Chinese goods worth $ 200 billion, which could be announced at any time, President Donald Trump last week said another $ 267 billion the value of imports can also be targeted.

Hundreds of representatives of companies and industry last month told trade officials in Washington about how the next round of duties could affect them. The hearings lasted more than 45 hours, witnesses were allowed to speak for five minutes each. Here is what some of the representatives of the retail and distribution industry, taken from the government transcripts,

Shopping Jo-Ann

Hudson, Ohio

"The proposed tariffs will unintentionally amount to the" Made in America "tax on sewing and processing projects completed by the Americans. As a result, there will be an incentive to move production and jobs away from the United States. " – Jill Soltau

The Flying Circle

Bourne, Texas

"Approaching the proposed tariffs, we have already paid about 17% of the import duty on most of our goods. A 42% tax on our product erases any profit and will be sustained for a very short period before we would have to close. "- Jimmy Chittim

In move

Blacksburg, VA

"In short, Inmotion would seriously suffer from an additional fee for these items. The problem with which I do not see a viable business, and their inclusion in this tariff list, will probably have little impact on China. " – John Stemen

Microelectronics

Hilliard, Ohio

"Given that the rate of return on these products is very thin, and the fact that we expect a sharp drop in sales due to this action, Micro Center can not withstand an additional 10 percent tariff, not to mention 25 percent." – Richard Mershad

Lamplight Farms

Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

"We are pleased that the US government is taking steps to position the United States as a global leader in the advanced technologies of the 21st century … But we most emphatically question how the reduction in US imports of Tiki torches and citronella candles can be a key part of this strategy ". – Mark Werner

Trayton America

High Point, North Carolina

"Moving production to a new country is not a viable option in the upholstery business, and it will require huge costs, which will require a huge amount of capital and time. And our company would effectively close our entire operation for a few. Therefore, we will have to lay off employees and incur large losses. " – Larry Little

Richloom product group

New York

"We have already seen the beginning of a slowdown in this industry as a result of the first two rounds of tariffs." – Michael Sayvets

Four hands

Austin, TX

"The economic impact of an additional 10% duty on our products would have an immediate impact on our business … As an initial answer, we will implement austerity programs that would freeze hiring and wages and reduce discretionary spending. Our company is growing rapidly, and the current plans are designed to expand our officers and warehouses in the US in 2019. These plans will be suspended. " – Jerome Kearns

Pets all over the world

Lake Bluff, Illinois

"When we had it in the first wave, we overcame the price increase, and they raised the retail price. Thus, this means that this will affect the likely impact, customers with lower income, buying our opening prices and commodity valves and valves, and then they are most likely not going to implement the project. " – Peter Berkman

Max Home

Fulton, Mississippi

"This will not be of use to American manufacturers, American jobs or American furniture. On the contrary, it will eliminate jobs in the US and move the majority, if not all, of production processes abroad. " -Martin-silver

Chef

Hyde Park, Utah

"Our clients do not have a lot of space in their budgets to absorb an additional 10 or even 25% … What does it do? Ordinary Americans can no longer afford to grill before a big game or camping in the woods with their friends and family. Who needs it? Honestly, we do not understand this. " – Brandon Sparrow

Evenflo Company

Miamisburg, Ohio

"In the foreseeable future, there is no country that we can turn to to find the import of these products, which means that consumers will bear the financial burden of increased responsibilities." – Joe Calabrese

Illinois Auto Cargo Company

Des Plaines, Illinois

"Our case, of course, is that a trade dispute between the United States and China, along with tariff increases, will only hurt small companies such as Illinois Auto Truck, a specialized supplier and employer from the United States for nearly 80 years." – Richard Stein

Breathable child

Minnetonka, Minnesota

"If we can not make net inserts in China, we will not be able to bring them to the market. The damage to our company, as well as the babies and parents who make up our market, will not change anything to change the practice of intellectual property in China. " – Stephen Marton

Step 2 Opening

Streetsboro, Ohio

"As an average American company, the proposed tariffs are likely to cause a domino effect throughout the value chain, which will ultimately affect our entire family of companies." – Anthony Siepl

SOG Special knives and tools

Linwood, WA

"Motivation based on administration is understandable. But, accordingly, we must ask ourselves, does this process start to get out of hand? … We are concerned that the list of targeted products now includes consumer products, including tools used by workers and athletes. " – Darren Dunn

JLab Audio

Carlsbad, CA

"I am heartbreaking that the government that protects us threatens my means of livelihood and the livelihoods of my team members … The proposed introduction of tariffs on products accounting for 80% of our business will be catastrophic. are forced to fire 12% of our employees in order to follow. " – Win Cramer

Office furniture Arnold

Bridgeport, Pennsylvania

"Our clients would never allow us to raise our prices to 25% at a time. We would have to close the business in about 90 years … I do not know many businesses, if any, that can withstand 25% of the value of goods and survive. And I spoke with a lot of people in the community. And that's all we've been talking about for the past couple of months. " – Jay Berkowitz

Rebecca Minkoff

New York

"The tariffs punish the wrong people, including the American consumer, and leave the playing field open to bad actors to continue selling counterfeit products using our IP address. The problem is not in Chinese production. Bags are not high-tech. " – Rebecca Minkoff

Meco Corporation

Greenville, Tennessee

"China should get the incentive to stop injuring our manufacturing enterprise in the US, to maintain our current employment level and create more jobs for our communities." – Mark Profffitt

Standard Textile Company

Cincinnati

"I am here today to speak on behalf of our 400 hardworking, dedicated American textile workers in the Union, South Carolina and Tomaston, Georgia, whose work is under threat because of the proposed tariffs for unbleached cotton fabric." – Kim Heyman

Commodities for children Graco

Philadelphia

"Although we recognize the general political interests of the administration, the introduction of tariffs on goods for the safety of imported children may have unintended consequences for the safety of children, which, in our opinion, will be harmful." – Russ Torres

Bicycles in the wild

Mill Valley, California

"The introduction of additional tariffs for bicycle components from China will give way to the US market for foreign competitors who produce their goods in other countries except China." – Patrick Seidler

Huffy Corporation

Dayton, Ohio

"As I said earlier, the proposed tariff represents a serious threat to the Huffy, more than 200 people directly employed by the Huffies, and thousands and thousands of Americans engaged in our industry. It's just that our industry does not have immediate viable alternatives to using China as our main source. " – Bill Smith

Central California Sales of trucks and trailers

Sacramento, CA

"If these tariffs are put into effect, this will lead to an immediate reduction in sales by 15-20%. In addition, 10 to 15% of our workforce will be affected by layoffs or reduced hours. " – Warren Awave

Power Stop

Bedford Park, Illinois

"Today, my point of view is simple: the introduction of 25% tariffs on imports of brake rotors and brake pads will not play any role in achieving the investigation objectives of Section 301, but rather simply harms individual car owners who are least able to afford unexpected expenses and so most likely, lead to more accidents, lay-offs and road safety. " – Arvin Scott

Surface Southeast

Miami

"The proposed 25 percent tariff will greatly affect and the opportunity will seriously damage our small and medium-sized enterprises … For example, in the case of my company, the proposed 25 percent tariff is more than 100 percent of my current salary and represents a serious threat to my business. "- Paul Young

Elton Industry

Batavia, Illinois

"We intend to expand our facility here in the US … This new facility will allow us to assemble our products domestically, but still have to supply the main components from China to which this tariff applies. If these tariffs are implemented in our business, we will have to reassess these investments and return more jobs to the US. " – Michael Roach

Distributor of external parts

Hialeah, Florida

"If 25% tariffs were introduced for these products imported from China, this would have devastating consequences for my company, its employees and for the more automotive aftermarket industry." – Kevin Feig

Hello!

West Chester, Ohio

"Since we can not move production to avoid an additional fee, this means that someone will have to cover the costs. If it is transferred to the consumer, it will be a young mother trying to make ends meet. Either she will not be able to provide a manual breast pump, which is the most affordable option, or we will no longer be able to offer it in the US market. " – Elaine Bobby

Power and lighting display

Itasca, Illinois

"A 25 percent ad valorem duty destroys our gross margin. It takes us out of business. " – Rob Cohen

Alignment of hotel furniture

Signal Hill, California

"The threat associated with this small business in the United States for the proposed additional tariff of 25% is disproportionate. This industry is highly competitive, and Align will not be able to transfer this additional value to its customers. " – Joseph Sparagen

Hooker Furniture Corporation

Martinsville, Virginia

"Hooker has withstood some of the most difficult periods in the history of our country. We have survived, overcame, adapted and prospered for almost 95 years, but I do not exaggerate when I say that the new tariffs on section 301 from China are the single biggest threat to Hooker's business. " – Douglas Townsend