Over 80 Powerful U.S. Businesses Come Together & Announce Defiant Rejection Of Trump

0
754

President Donald Trump has promised to stick up for the “everyman,” but a quick glance at relevant numbers reveals how far off from reality that promise really is. His administration has imposed harsh punitive tariffs on American trading partners all around the world — and now, the “everyman” is fighting back.

Dozens of business groups have joined together to kickstart an advocacy campaign against the Trump administration’s tariffs. This campaign will be more than just talk — there will be town hall style events held in cities across the country meant to highlight the stories of American economic interests affected by the tariff-induced trade wars. The group of businesses has invited members of Congress to attend the events that are to be held in their respective districts.

The aptly named “Americans for Free Trade” group was blunt in its assessment of the situation, explaining:

‘While we agree that there are issues that need to be addressed with key trading partners, tariffs are the wrong approach to bring about meaningful change. Every day, companies large and small are sharing their stories of the harm the tariffs and ensuing retaliation are causing across all sectors of the American economy.’

The effort brings groups together ranging from Farmers for Free Trade, a nationally high-standing group that’s already made its opposition to the administration’s tariffs known, to the National Retail Federation and the American Petroleum Institute. Axios reports that thousands of businesses, farmers, manufacturers and other stakeholders are on board, comprising over 80 industry groups in total.

What effect the groups’ combined efforts have remains to be seen. The president has remained resolute in his commitment to using tariffs to further his agenda, insisting that everything is getting along just fine — despite a slowly but surely building list of economic horror stories from around the country.

In July, for instance, Chinese buyers cancelled well over $1 million worth of specialty food grade soybean orders from North Dakota. There are other issues cropping up for farmers, too, like rising farm equipment costs, thanks to stress placed on manufacturers that have grown to rely on steel from outside the country.

The newly formed supergroup of trade interests will maintain a database on its website of such stories, Axios reports.

Meanwhile, Trump just keeps tweeting.

Some time has passed at this point, but in July, he made his belief system clear, exclaiming:

‘Tariffs are the greatest! Either a country which has treated the United States unfairly on Trade negotiates a fair deal, or it gets hit with Tariffs. It’s as simple as that – and everybody’s talking! Remember, we are the “piggy bank” that’s being robbed. All will be Great!’

trump-greatest Over 80 Powerful U.S. Businesses Come Together & Announce Defiant Rejection Of Trump Donald Trump Economy Politics Top Stories

In reality, it’s not that simple. For instance, although he’s insisted — contrary to the facts — that Canada is taking advantage of the United States, the uncertain future he’s wrought for the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement is leaving U.S. companies who rely on North American integration hanging.

That’s exactly what the newly announced group of economic interests is seeking to remind the government of.

Featured Image via YouTube screenshot