Over 80 of the nation’s leading trade associations representing thousands of businesses and workers today announced the formation of Americans for Free Trade a multi-industry coalition aimed at opposing tariffs and highlighting the benefits of international trade to the U.S. economy. This new coalition will immediately join Farmers for Free Trade, the coalition backed by the nation’s largest ag commodity groups, in a multi-million dollar national campaign called Tariffs Hurt the Heartland. The campaign will focus on telling the stories of the American businesses, farmers, workers and families harmed by tariffs through town-hall style events, grassroots outreach to Congress and the administration, social media, rapid response and digital advertising.
The campaign includes a geographically searchable map (TariffsHurt.com) that allows users to find stories of job losses, deferred investments, higher prices and other negative consequences for farmers and businesses in communities across the country impacted by tariffs.
The announcement was made on a telephone press conference September 12 featuring spokespersons from several industries and organization in the coalition. Listen to remarks here from moderator Matt McAlvanah, David French with National Retailer Federation, Farmers for Free Executive Director Trade Brian Kuehl, and Minnesota farmer Kristen Duncanson –
Americans/Farmers for Free Trade press conference