The manufacturers in the U.S. who make hand sanitizer are working at a frenzied pace but cannot, by any means, meet the current demand for not only health care workers, but the entire population. The use of sanitizer by everyone is one of the most powerful weapons we can use in this war against the coronavirus. U.S. importers, on the other hand, who sell to retailers have ordered thousands of bottles of sanitizer and they are on its way here from China but we, the consumer, will have to pay double or triple the regular cost because the Trump administration refuses to lift the 25% tariff on hand sanitizer from China.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not China who pays the tariff money but it is the U.S. consumer. The tariff is paid to U.S. Customs by American distributors, who have to pass that increase to the retail stores, who then pass it to us. Even a White House economic adviser has admitted that both sides (China and the U.S.) will suffer on this. But why should there be tariffs on critical medical equipment?

The makers of Purell hand sanitizer, a private company based in Ohio, asked the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) for a tariff exemption last year on parts for their dispensers that they can only get from China. These tariffs cost them $10 million. On March 5th of this year, right in the middle of this pandemic, the USTR denied their request basically stating that it would not cause severe economic harm to their company or other U.S. interests. And yet, 3 weeks later, the tariff was lifted on Apple’s watches and several other products that are not associated with COVID-19.

This is an outrage. Other countries are restricting their exports of medical equipment, making matters worse for Americans. President Trump should give the American public every chance they need to fight this pandemic by allowing medical professionals and hospitals access to the highest quality, lowest cost, and most accessible supplies, from wherever they can be sourced—including China.

What you can do:

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