Elfreth Joins Mfume, Maryland Delegation Members to Demand Answers on Tariff Impact on Port of Baltimore

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) joined a letter alongside U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and Representatives Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Steny Hoyer (MD-05), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), and Johnny Olszewski (MD-02) calling on the Administration to detail the repercussions of newly announced tariffs on the Port of Baltimore. This letter, addressed to United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, raises the lawmakers’ concerns regarding the latest announcement on tariffs, the costs for the American consumer, and the potential shock wave to major ports, industries, and workforces.

"The Port of Baltimore is one of the nation’s most vital hubs for commerce, and it plays a crucial role in national supply chains,” said the lawmakers.

"We are especially concerned about the latest announcement on tariffs considering the economic consequences for the American consumer. These tariffs effectively serve as a sales tax on consumers, placing the burden of revenue raising on American families. While White House trade adviser Peter Navarro stated recently that these tariffs are expected to raise about $600 billion a year in revenue, economists have clarified that the impact to consumers on spending will significantly reduce these revenue estimates. Instead, experts indicate these tariffs will raise prices for already-struggling consumers, trigger layoffs in industries with customers who rely on imports, and plunge our nation into a recession," the lawmakers continued.

The Members also emphasized the statewide economic loss caused by the bridge’s collapse, including approximately 15,000 direct jobs and 139,000 indirect jobs dependent on the Port of Baltimore, generating an estimated $3.3 billion in personal revenue, $2.6 billion in business income, and more than $395 million in taxes.

The lawmakers requested a response from Secretary Lutnick to the following inquiries within the next 14 days:

What mechanism is the Department of Commerce utilizing to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the tariffs issued under the Executive Order?

What efforts will the Department of Commerce take to track how these tariffs impact everyday costs for the American consumer, and national and local economies?

What are the long-term implications of these tariffs on our nation’s major ports, and on our national supply chains?

How, specifically, do you expect the announced tariffs will impact automobile and light vehicle imports, coal exports, and agricultural equipment imports and exports?

Will the Administration waive tariffs on certain goods or sectors, or provide aid to impacted small businesses, impacted workers (i.e. farmers, dockworkers, etc.), and industries, in response to significant negative economic outcomes in the United States?

The full text of the letter can be found HERE. 

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