Press Releases

Washington, D.C.—Today, Congresswomen Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) and Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) introduced the Pink Tariffs Study Act, which would require the U.S. Department of Treasury to conduct a study on potential gender bias and regressivity within the U.S. tariff system and report the findings to Congress. The reintroduction of this legislation follows reports that the U.S. tariff schedule places higher import taxes on women than men for the same or similar products, including razors and clothes. 

“Women continue to pay more than men when it comes to everyday needs like clothes, razors, and even personal hygiene products,” said Pettersen. “These costs can add up fast – especially for working moms and families – and Trump’s reckless trade war threatens to drive these prices up even more and hurt regular people who are already struggling to make ends meet. This legislation takes an important step forward in addressing gender inequalities in our tariff system and making sure women don’t unfairly face higher prices than men. I’m thankful for the partnership of Congresswoman Fletcher and will keep working to lower costs and end ‘pink tariffs.’”

“While often hidden from public view, tariffs have a significant impact on the prices Americans pay in stores every day.  Women disproportionately pay, on average, three percent more in tariffs than men, but the difference is sometimes even greater,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “Now, as President Trump has imposed tariffs and started a trade war with our trading partners, it is even more important that we understand how higher tariffs will raise costs for everyone, and women in particular.  I am glad to reintroduce this legislation with Congresswoman Pettersen to help make sure we understand the impacts of tariffs and have the tools to ensure a fairer tax system.”

“The New Dem Trade Task Force is proud to endorse the Pink Tariffs Study Act at a critical moment in the history of American trade policy,” said New Democrat Coalition Trade and Tariff Task Force Chair Don Beyer. “At a moment when the nation reckons with the sweeping impacts of President Trump’s tariffs on consumers and businesses, it is all the more important to understand how these taxes disproportionately impact women.  We are grateful to our New Dem colleagues Representatives Fletcher and Pettersen for leading this effort, and for endeavoring to build a more equitable tax system on behalf of all Americans.”

“As Representatives Fletcher and Pettersen introduce the Pink Tariffs Study Act today, they are rightly going beyond pure – and fully justified – opposition to Mr. Trump’s tariff increases. By helping alert policymakers to unequal tariff taxation of American women, and tariff rates biased against lower-income families, their bill will help us design a better and fairer system,” said Ed Gresser, Vice President and Director for Trade and Global Markets at the Progressive Policy Institute.

The New Democrat Coalition Trade and Tariffs Task Force and the Progressive Policy Institute have endorsed the Pink Tariffs Study Act.

To view the full text of the bill, click here.