Reconsider tariff policies harming American consumers and businesses

The president's latest executive order eliminating the de minimis tariff exemption will significantly increase costs for American consumers purchasing foreign goods online from sites like eBay, Etsy, and Amazon. Previously, shipments valued under $800 were exempt from duties, allowing consumers access to affordable products from overseas sellers. However, this move subjects all packages to country-specific tariffs starting August 29th, directly impacting everyday Americans by raising prices on millions of imported items they rely on. This order follows the administration's earlier tariffs on Chinese e-commerce imports, which led to increased costs despite claims of protecting domestic industries. Experts warn that non-Chinese sellers and small businesses relying on duty-free shipping will now face similar challenges. The last-minute rush to import goods before August highlights the disruptive nature of these unilateral trade actions. While curbing alleged abuses is a stated goal, the practical effect penalizes American households by making basic goods less affordable during economically strained times. I urge you to consider the significant burdens this policy imposes on constituents and explore more judicious approaches that achieve legitimate objectives without unduly harming the public's pocketbooks and access to global markets. Protectionist measures of this scale deserve scrutiny to assess if benefits truly outweigh costs borne by American families and businesses.