WASHINGTON—Today, Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) and Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) introduced the Pink Tariffs Study Act, legislation to examine the prevalence and impact of “pink tariffs,” which may directly contribute to women paying more for everyday goods than men, including everything from razors to clothes.
Traditionally, gender bias in the consumer goods space has been referred to as the “pink tax,” which occurs when companies charge a higher price for women’s products than similar men’s products. However, there is evidence that import taxes, also known as tariffs, may directly contribute to women paying more at the register than men. The Pink Tariffs Study Act would require the Department of the Treasury to conduct and report to Congress a study on potential gender bias and regressivity within the U.S. tariff system.
“We’ve all heard of the ‘pink tax,’ where women’s products cost more than comparable products for men, but something we haven’t begun to investigate is how our tariff system is also playing a role in price discrepancies,” said Pettersen.“Tariffs on consumer goods are almost entirely passed onto working families, meaning gender bias in our tariff system would result in higher prices for women on everything from clothing to hygiene products. I am proud to lead this legislation to address gender inequality in our trade system in order to build a better economy for every American.”
“While often hidden from public view, tariffs have a significant impact on the prices Americans pay in stores every day. Research has shown that tariffs disproportionately impact products women commonly use,” said Fletcher. “But despite making up $100 billion of the U.S. tax system, tariffs are rarely examined as a form of taxation, and rates on mass-market items haven’t changed in decades. Every American deserves a fairer tax system, and this legislation will help us get to the bottom of the issue.”
“For years, women have been paying more at the register for things like clothes, shoes, and razors. This is just plain wrong, and this bill will help us root out unfair tariffs aimed at goods marketed to women,” said Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Lois Frankel. “The DWC is proud to stand with members Reps. Fletcher and Pettersen, sponsors of this critical bill to lower costs for women consumers.”
“It is far past time for U.S. policymakers to systematically examine our tariff system, which currently appears to tax women more than men and low-income families more than high-income families. I applaud Representatives Fletcher, Pettersen, and the New Democratic Coalition’s Trade Task Force for their leadership on this essential issue,” said Ed Gresser, Vice President and Director of Trade and Global Markets at the Progressive Policy Institute. “Tariffs are not only trade policy but one of the seven main tax systems, and as in the other six, U.S. policymakers must be vigilant to identify and correct gender bias and regressivity in it.”
The NDC Trade Task Force, the Democratic Women’s Caucus, and the Progressive Policy Institute have endorsed the Pink Tariffs Study Act.
To view the full text of the bill, click here.
