National Taxpayers Union President Pete Sepp on Tuesday issued the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s proposed new tariffs as critical trade negotiations continue:
“Just days ago, President Trump wisely protected Americans from a $4 trillion tax hike thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill he championed and signed into law. Taxpayers should likewise be encouraged that the Trump Administration has largely delayed the imposition of new tariffs to allow time for additional negotiations.
But, if proposed new tariffs, including 25% tariffs on Japan and Korea, take effect, U.S. taxpayers would shoulder the burden of billions of dollars in new duties that would diminish the tax relief they just won. The same is true of the costly 10% universal tariffs imposed earlier this year. The Penn Wharton Tariff Simulator projects that this 10% tariff will cost $1.25 trillion over the next 10 years, the equivalent of $9,600 per household. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says tariffs may cost “well over” $300 billion a year, equal to nearly $200 per month in new taxes for the average household.
Tough negotiations with our trading partners are beginning to yield important concessions on issues hitting American taxpayers unfairly, like Digital Services Taxes.
More tariffs are unnecessary and counterproductive. President Trump’s end goal of zero tariffs, zero subsidies, and zero barriers for U.S. taxpayers could be in sight, and smart policy now can help us reach that admirable destination.”