As Trump moves to impose new tariffs, Congress is working to remove hundreds
Even as President Trump's new steel and aluminum tariffs dominate the headlines, Congress is quietly moving to temporarily reduce or remove tariffs on 1,662 different products, Reuters reports. The miscellaneous tariff bill, as it is known, unanimously passed the House of Representatives in January, and aims to reduce prices for American consumers and companies on everything from chew toys to camera accessories to certain chemicals.
The tariffs reduced or axed in the bill were originally implemented to protect American industries that supporters say no longer exist domestically. "Why in the world would we put a tariff on a product that's not made in the U.S.?" argued lobbyist Ron Sorini. "It's kind of crazy." A small group of critics, though, argue that removing the tariffs could potentially hurt industries that do in fact still exist, but perhaps do not have the means to defend themselves in Washington. A Reuters assessment found that the bill "includes 145 items that are made domestically."
Supporters of the tariff reductions argue it was on companies and manufacturers to keep up with legislation, and to defend themselves in Washington if they were threatened. "If somebody doesn't know about something, that's a shame, but that might mean that they didn't take steps to stay informed," the executive vice president of the American Apparel and Footwear Association, Stephen Lamar, told Reuters.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Today's political cartoons - May 5, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - annoying noises, gag orders, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 highly educational cartoons about student protests
Cartoons Artists take on apolitical camping, the National Guard, and more
By The Week US Published
-
French schools and the scourge of teenage violence
Talking Point Gabriel Attal announces 'bold' intervention to tackle rise in violent incidents
By The Week UK Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reddit IPO values social media site at $6.4 billion
Speed Read The company makes its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds cap credit card late fees at $8
speed read The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule to save households an estimated $10 billion a year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published