Leading US trade orgs. form coalition against tariffs

WASHINGTON, Sept 12 (KUNA) -- Over 80 of the nation's leading trade associations representing thousands of businesses and workers announced Wednesday the formation of "Americans for Free Trade," a multi-industry coalition aimed at opposing tariffs and highlighting the benefits of international trade to the US economy.
The campaign will focus on "telling the stories of the American businesses, farmers, workers and families harmed by tariffs," the coalition said in a statement.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Minority leader of the House of Representatives, the coalition said "we are a growing coalition representing US manufacturers, farmers and agribusinesses, retailers, technology companies, service suppliers, natural gas and oil companies, importers, exporters, and other supply chain stakeholders, who are united in their concern about the negative impacts that the new tariffs are and will continue to have on US businesses, workers and consumers." The letter added that Americans for Free Trade will be joining with Farmers for Free Trade to support the "Tariffs Hurt the Heartland" campaign and that their effort "will begin where the tariffs have already caused great harm: at the grassroots level in the American heartland." "Beginning with the September Congressional recess and continuing in the Fall, we will be holding events that bring together those Americans whose livelihoods have been impacted by tariffs for public events that highlight the need to de-escalate the trade war," the letter noted.
It stressed "We also strongly encourage Congress to exercise its oversight role on trade policy matters to prevent further harm to US workers, consumers and families that will result from new tariffs - both those already being implemented and future tariffs that have been proposed." (end) si.ibi