Chamber of Commerce asks Trump for tariff exclusions

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is calling on the Trump administration to implement a “tariff exclusion process” to prevent the economy from sliding into a recession and causing harm to small businesses, according to a letter obtained by CNBC.

The chamber’s CEO, Suzanne Clark, urged key trade officials to lift tariffs on small business importers and products that are not produced in the U.S. or are not domestically available. She also requested a process for businesses to quickly obtain tariff exclusions if import duties pose risks to U.S. employment.

In an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street,” Clark explained that small businesses are in urgent need of relief due to the impact of tariffs. While the chamber has not taken legal action against Trump’s tariffs, she emphasized the need for immediate relief rather than lengthy court battles.

The White House deputy chief of staff, Steven Miller, indicated that relief for small businesses will come in the form of a major tax cut bill rather than tariff exemptions. President Trump has emphasized that companies investing in the U.S. will not be liable for tariffs.

For the full letter and more details, you can read the original article here.