Press Releases

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) called on President Trump to reverse his tariff policies, which ultimately function as a hidden tax on American families and businesses.

In an October 30, 2025, letter to the President, Carbajal called for an urgent reevaluation of the administration’s global trade policies, specifically the blanket tariffs imposed on nearly all U.S. trading partners. The letter highlights the growing financial strain on American families and small businesses, citing rising prices on everyday goods—like coffee—as evidence of the policy’s damaging effects.

“Despite claims made by your administration that tariffs would lower prices, they have increased the cost of living for Americans,” wrote Rep. Carbajal. “Tariffs will never work on products that cannot be produced in the United States. Take coffee, for example. The United States produces less than one percent of coffee beans globally.  In this case, the only possible outcome of these tariffs is increased prices for the American people, whether they are making coffee at home or buying it from a small business.”

Carbajal concluded his letter by urging the President to stop his reckless tariff policies and restore responsible trade relations.

“Your tariffs are a tax on the American people. It is well-established that the cost of tariffs is passed on to consumers. The American people are footing the bill. Small businesses are taking hits as they are forced to either absorb the increased costs or pass them on to customers,” Rep. Carbajal concluded. “I urge you to restore free trade before small businesses suffer irreparable harm and American families face lasting financial strain.”

Earlier this year, Carbajal co-sponsored U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin’s (D-MD-08) Truth in Tariffs Act, which would require large retailers to clearly display the portion of an item’s price attributable to tariffs. At a time of increasing economic chaos generated solely by President Trump, this bill will give Americans full transparency on the hidden costs of tariffs.

Carbajal is also a co-sponsor of the Prevent Tariff Abuse Act, which would clarify that the President cannot impose tariffs under the guise of a national emergency without Congressional approval. Trump has been imposing tariffs under the guise of a national emergency. 

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

President Trump,

I am writing to urge you to reconsider your global trade policies that impose blanket tariffs on nearly all United States trading partners. The American people are already feeling the burden of increased prices on everyday goods because of your tariffs. As more time passes, costs will increase further.  

While tariffs can be effective in limited, short-term circumstances, the reckless way these tariffs have been applied is not an effective way to improve trade between the United States and the rest of the world. They run counter to the free-market principles our country was founded on and further isolate the United States on the world stage. 

Despite claims made by your administration that tariffs would lower prices, they have increased the cost of living for Americans. Tariffs will never work on products that cannot be produced in the United States. Take coffee, for example. The United States produces less than one percent of coffee beans globally.  In this case, the only possible outcome of these tariffs is increased prices for the American people, whether they are making coffee at home or buying it from a small business.  The amount of coffee production in the United States can never meet domestic demand. This tariff policy is short-sighted, misguided, and will only hurt the pockets of the American people. 

Your tariffs are a tax on the American people. It is well-established that the cost of tariffs is passed on to consumers. The American people are footing the bill. Small businesses are taking hits as they are forced to either absorb the increased costs or pass them on to customers. 

I urge you to restore free trade before small businesses suffer irreparable harm and American families face lasting financial strain.