Thread by @FreeTradeBryan

Some of the comments submitted to @USTradeRep on proposed new taxes on Americans who import from China: "We are concerned that this tariff could single handedly reverse over half a century struggling through the journey to support our large family and our many loyal employees."

"I am the sole supporter of a family of 4 with 1 child in high school and the other in college. The 25% increase will price our vehicles out of reach to our dealers and consumers as our market is very competitive. To put it simply, it will kill my business."

"We are re-evaluating our business model with the intent of becoming smaller. The most dreaded aspect of the job of a small business owner is firing employees. We will have no choice."

"My husband and I obtained estimates to get fencing placed around our house to contain our dogs. We have found out this week that the price will be increased by 10% or over $700 due to these tariffs."

"The ... tariffs have caused an increase in retail cost for military personnel making it difficult for new recruits to purchase needed products for deployments, training and everyday living on base. This needs to stop so that our soldiers can purchase the products they need!"

"If we are required to pay the 25% tariffs we will likely go out of business and put 100 people out on the streets."

"Ultimately, the 25% tariff on the above HTS code might cause the end of our business, which has been an ongoing entity since 1983."

"I struggle to make a living running a business that I started and I love.... This current tariff and resulting increase in cost will make it very difficult for business like mine to survive."

"Our company operates on very tight margins and we don't know if we could survive this. In addition, resulting lost sales may require us to lay off our workers or permanently cease operations."

I have 48 employees as well that are very dependent on my business for their survival.... An Increased in duties will cause an increase in price for my merchandise which will diminish the affordability of my merchandise to my customers.

"Unfortunately, we believe that the large corporations will use this opportunity to eliminate competition in our marketplace by keeping the prices of these microfiber products at levels that we will not be able to sustain causing us to close our doors."

"A 25% tariff rate would be devastating to our company. This would increase our cost by $5 million US dollars. We would have no choice but to pass along the massive increases to our customers"

Small business owner currently employing 7 people that will possibly fold when this go through.

"As a result, our sales volume would plummet creating huge cuts to production, forcing a reduction to our work force, including closure of no longer needed manufacturing, filling and warehouse space. The trickle down effect would create layoffs at our material suppliers"

"In most cases, a 25% hike in price will force may communities to consider not celebrating with fireworks at all."

"If the proposed fourth list of tariff numbers (China 301) were to go into effect with its 25% duty, the result to our 33-year-old business would be catastrophic."

"We will be forced to terminate employees due to reduced or negative profitability."

"The increase in costs, and potential loss in gross sales would be devastating to my family, and others in my same situation."

"Our company operates on very tight margins and we don't know if we could survive this. In addition, resulting lost sales may require us to lay off our workers or permanently cease operations."

"The profit margin on fireworks, even without an additional tariff, is quite small and an added cost of this-size would almost nullify the margin"

"Businesses supplying essentials to our troops and families are likely to fold, which will be a complete tragedy. I am hoping our voices are heard and tariffs as a whole are removed."

"Since there is no alternative US source of aldicarb, tariffs would be an unfair penalty on AgLogic, its employees and customers. It could potentially put AgLogic out of business."

"As you can see the 25% tariff will simply push us out of business."

"The people that run these [fireworks] stands are teachers, coaches, principals, fire fighters, city workers, etc. These are blue collared workers that are trying to provide a little extra for their family...A 25% tariff would put these people out of business."

"Such a financial blow would be devestating to our business, resulting in a significant diversion of resources from our core business, hiring freezes, potential layoffs, and reduced spending and investment."

"We cannot afford, nor would our BOD or shareholders approve, to manufacture these goods in the United States at a loss. When costs become prohibitive, consumers will be forced to buy their roll goods from suppliers outside of the United States."

"We will hire less staff, consider a major cut in annual raises to our employees, possibly cut our employer provided health insurance plan for full-time employees."

"Krimson Klover’s profit margins are tight – less than 25%. So if you do the math, a 25% “tax” would put Krimson Klover out of business.... They cannot afford to absorb these costs and unfortunately she told me that she’ll be forced to close her doors and let go of our team."

"Our company is unable to source the materials needed for our product anywhere in the US and will most likely have to shut down if this happens."

"Margins in our sector are already very thin, and the proposed incremental duty would result in us shutting down the business."

"Without a doubt, the tariff proposed above would be cause for severe harm to our company which we believe represents the ‘everyman’ hard working small family business that makes our country so remarkable. This tariff would hurt our US suppliers, our town, and our customers."

"Our local farmers are having a rough time with these depressed prices and need some relief from these crippling tariffs."

"Our plan was to open a new pillow manufacturing operation in Arizona in 2020 adding another 30 employees in the next 2 years, however, this will not feasible if these tariffs are put into place."

"This proposed action would result in higher costs for our consumers and potential job losses across the industry. "

"This would simply put this small and innovative company out of business."

"Due to a drop in anticipated volume, we would be forced to lay off a significant amount of our manufacturing employment base. This is a direct potential loss of jobs at our organization"

"My small mom and pop sporting goods store will lose not only customers but, I as a retailer will fail to be profitable and no longer will be able to keep my store open."

"The effects of a 10% and now 25% tariff on our goods is driving our company out of business."

"Personally, I am afraid the imposition of the proposed 25% tariff USTR on items represented by Golf Car HTS 8703.10.50 will have a fatal impact on our family business, even though we are fortunate to represent 2 of the 3 American made golf cars noted above in our retail market"

"Implementation of the 25% duty will cause Canaxy's activity with this chemical to terminate due to an inability to compete and jeopardize our company's existence."

"Based upon what we understand about the price elasticity of demand for our low-priced goods, where consumers are very price-sensitive, we believe that a further price increase from new tariffs on Chinese goods would essentially wipe out the profitability of our company."

FYI this is from the Federal Register notice on the tariff hearings: "The Trade Representative's decision to modify the September 2018 action takes into account the extensive public comments and testimony," which mostly opposed new tariffs. federalregister.gov/documents/2019…