[direwolf]

Originally Posted by bob-loblaw

Every single American business lobby group, especially ones that supported Trump, are releasing statements against the tariff decision today.

They certainly did. Let's hope that this puts some pressure on the orange dips***, and that at least a couple of his handlers will hopefully realize that these tariffs are a terrible idea.



https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/01/polit...ump/index.html

Corporations and business groups were apoplectic about the tariffs Saturday.
The US Chamber of Commerce slammed the levies, warning they will raise consumer prices. In a statement, the powerful business group acknowledged that Trump is right to focus on securing the border and to fight the illicit flow of fentanyl.



“But the imposition of tariffs under IEEPA is unprecedented, won’t solve these problems, and will only raise prices for American families and upend supply chains,” said John Murphy, senior vice president and head of international at the chamber. “The Chamber will consult with our members, including main street businesses across the country impacted by this move, to determine next steps to prevent economic harm to Americans.”



The Distilled Spirits Council of the US, the Mexican Chamber of the Tequila Industry and Spirits Canada said in a joint statement shared with CNN on Saturday that they are “deeply concerned that U.S. tariffs on imported spirits from Canada and Mexico will significantly harm all three countries.” Last year, the US imported $46 billion of agricultural products from Mexico, according to US Department of Agriculture data. That includes $8.3 billion worth of fresh vegetables, $5.9 billion of beer and $5 billion of distilled spirits.



The energy industry was unsatisfied with the reduced tariffs on Canadian oil, gas and electricity. The American Petroleum Institute, which represents Big Oil and natural gas companies, said in a statement that it wanted to be fully left out of the tariffs. It noted fuel prices would rise on the $14.4 billion of oil and natural gas imported each year from Canada.



“We will continue to work with the Trump administration on full exclusions that protect energy affordability for consumers, expand the nation’s energy advantage and support American jobs,” American Petroleum Institute CEO Mike Sommers said in a statement.



NEMA, which represents the electricity industry, urged the Trump administration to take a more cautious approach to tariffs, noting the electricity and the electronics industries make up a large chunk of America’s imported and exported goods.



Western Growers, which represents farmers, said the tariffs would hurt America’s food producers.



“While we appreciate the border security issues apparently motivating the Trump Administration, rival growers of specialty crops outside of the U.S. will move quickly to seize the new business opportunities created by these tariffs to sell into the Canadian, Mexican and Chinese marketplaces,” its CEO Dave Puglia said in a statement.



Consumer advocacy groups also warned Trump’s plans would raise costs for Americans.


“Tariffs are a tax increase on American households and manufacturers,” National Taxpayers Union President Pete Sepp said in a statement.