Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

This issue goes beyond party lines—tariffs should concern all Americans, regardless of political affiliation—because they impact our everyday lives, our wallets, and our economy.

Let’s clear up a common misconception: tariffs aren’t paid by the country of origin. They’re a tax on imports that ends up being passed on to American consumers. That means the price of goods we rely on—from electronics to appliances—rises, straining household budgets and forcing families to pay more out of pocket.

Take microchips, for example. Tariffs on these critical imports would increase costs across the board for products like phones, computers, and cars.

Since we currently lack the capacity to produce enough chips domestically, we’re left with few alternatives, which drives up prices even further. And while tariffs may seem like a quick fix, the reality is they only work if we have the local manufacturing power to replace imports, which, right now, we don’t.

Additionally, tariffs can set off a dangerous cycle of “trade revenge,” where other countries respond with tariffs on American goods. This retaliatory cycle hurts our industries and makes it harder for American companies to compete globally, putting American jobs and business growth at risk.

For all of these reasons, I urge you to contact your representative and ask them to appeal to President Trump to avoid tariffs as a trade strategy. The costs to everyday Americans are simply too high, and the long-term economic risks too great.

Instead of tariffs, let’s support policies that keep goods affordable and allow our economy to grow without unnecessary burdens.

A. John Peters

Long Prairie