This week hundreds of US business leaders will head to Washington DC in a bid to convince the Trump administration not to impose additional tariffs on imported Chinese goods.
The White House has already increased charges on $34bn (£26.4bn) worth of Chinese products, and is set to impose tariffs on a further $16bn (£12.4bn) of goods on Thursday.
The US has also threatened a third round of tariffs on $200bn (£155bn) worth of Chinese imports, listing more than 6,000 items including food products, minerals and consumer goods.
In a series of marathon sessions on Capitol Hill, industry representatives will outline how such a tit-for-tat trade war could hurt their companies, and in turn, American shoppers.
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Kenneth O’Brien of Gemini Shippers Group is particularly vocal in his opposition to tariffs on Chinese imports, which he says “will lead to the destruction of American jobs and the potential bankruptcy of U.S. small businesses”.
He cites several examples.
“The duty rate for a simple infant warmth hat will increase from 7.9% to nearly 18%; the duty rate for typical inexpensive leather handbags common among working Americans will increase from 10% to 20%; and the duty rate for basic luggage used by everyday Americans will increase from 20% to 30%.”
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