1. United States
2. La.
3. Letter

I write to you not as a Democrat or Republican, but as an American citizen watching my neighbors, coworkers, and community buckle under the weight of a failed trade war. The tariffs you defend—whether as “tough negotiation” or “economic patriotism”—are crushing the people you swore to protect. They are a regressive tax on the poor, a gift to corporate profiteers, and a betrayal of the working class. Repeal them now. The Reality You Ignore: Tariffs are not paid by China. They are paid by: * A single mother in Ohio who now spends $1,000 more annually on school supplies, shoes, and car repairs. * A farmer in Iowa who lost his soybean market to Chinese retaliation and now faces foreclosure. * A small-business owner in Texas who laid off half her staff because tariffs doubled the cost of steel parts. This is not speculation—it is fact. The Federal Reserve confirms tariffs cost households $1,277 per year, with low-income families losing 3.5% of their income to higher prices. Meanwhile, China circumvents tariffs by rerouting goods through Mexico and Vietnam, leaving Americans paying more for the same imports. The Hypocrisy You Enable: You claim tariffs “revive U.S. manufacturing,” but the data tells a different story: * Automation, not jobs: Reshored factories employ robots, not workers. For every job “created,” four are lost in supply chains. * Corporate greed: U.S. steel companies raised prices by 40% post-tariffs, pocketing $2.4 billion in profits while small manufacturers collapsed. * Global isolation: Allies like the EU now bypass U.S. suppliers, signing deals with China and leaving farmers and exporters stranded. This is not economic policy—it is a wealth transfer from working-class wallets to corporate boardrooms. The Disaster You’re Escalating: Last week, the stock market cratered as investors fled your tariff threats. Retirement accounts shrank. Small businesses canceled orders. Economists warn of a 0.5–1% GDP drop and stagflation if these policies continue. Even your own advisers admit tariffs have failed: * Trade deficits with China are higher today than in 2016. * Rare earth mineral shortages now threaten U.S. tech and defense. You are not “winning”—you are burning down the economy to own Beijing. The Path Forward: • Repeal all tariffs immediately. Lower prices on food, medicine, and essentials before more families fall into poverty. • Invest in workers, not tariffs: Redirect tariff revenue to retrain displaced workers, expand the Child Tax Credit, and rebuild green infrastructure. A Final Plea— This is not about politics—it is about survival. My neighbor cannot afford insulin. My cousin lost his farm. My coworker’s 401(k) evaporated. Your tariffs are not a “negotiating tactic”—they are economic arson, and we are the ones burning. Repeal them today. Not for a party, not for a slogan, but for the Americans whose lives you are destroying.