ZCZC
BCN-06
US-CHINA-RETAIL-TARIFF-TRADE
US ‘heartland’ companies balk at latest Trump tariffs
NEW YORK, Aug 8, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The cost of President Donald Trump’s
latest tariffs on Chinese goods will either be passed on to consumers, or
taken from profits, several US companies said Wednesday.
“The American people are being misled by this administration that China is
paying for these tariffs. This is a tax on them, or on the businesses that
are bringing products to America,” said Win Cramer, chief executive of Jlab
Audio, a California company that makes headphones.
Cramer, who has suspended plans to hire more staff in light of the tariff
threat, joined a conference call organized by “Tariffs Hurt the Heartland,” a
campaign of trade organizations to a policy of a president who has referred
to himself as “tariff man.”
The group released data showing US consumers paid $6 billion in tariffs in
June, up 74 percent from the year-ago period.
The conference call was organized in response to Trump’s announcement last
week of plans to enact a 10 percent tariff on $300 billion in Chinese goods
on September 1, a move that would affect a broad swathe of consumer goods
spared in earlier tariff rounds.
Separately, Consumer Technology Association warned Trump’s latest tariffs
could lift payments on electronics and other items by $1 billion or more.
Participants said it is difficult in many cases to find suitable
alternative suppliers to China because they may lack infrastructure or
knowhow on meeting US safety standards, such as for lead-free toys and other
items.
Also, emerging manufacturing centers such as India and Vietnam may be
reluctant to invest heavily in costly new infrastructure in case of a sudden
US policy reversal under a sudden deal with China.
Hiking prices would dent sales, while a decision to eat the costs would
harm the business, companies said.
“We’ll have to face very tough decisions, including job losses and store
closures,” said Wade Miquelon, chief executive of Joann Stores, an Ohio-based
chain of craft stores.
Jay Foreman, chief executive Basic Fun! Toys, a Florida toymaker and
distributor that imports from China, said some of his retail partners plan to
hike prices this Christmas by 10 to 20 percent, while others will hold off in
the 2019 season but lift prices next year.
The coalition plans additional local events and lobbying efforts to
encourage Congress to scrutinize the Trump administration’s trade policies,
said David French, senior vice president of government relations at the
National Retail Federation.
“The tariffs so far have been on the margins of the economy,” French said.
“So what’s happened to date is not an indicator of what to expect.”
BSS/AFP/HR/1015