Democratic Women’s Caucus Urges Secretary to End Pink Tariffs; Reduce Economic Hardship for Women
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) members Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) led 19 Democratic Women’s Caucus colleagues in a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urging the Treasury Department to analyze the tariff system’s impact on women and work to address these existing financial inequities immediately. In the letter, the Members express their concern with the fact that women pay on average three percent more in tariffs than men for the same or similar products, including razors and clothing, a concept called “pink tariffs.” These additional costs can add up quickly, especially for working mothers and families, and hit especially hard as President Trump attempts to impose sweeping tariffs and launch trade wars against our trading partners.
“The increase in tariffs and reduction in taxes for billionaires proposed by the Trump Administration will only further shift the financial burden from upper-class billionaires onto low-income, single-parent families. To better understand this intersectional impact, we urge the Treasury Department to conduct a report on how these escalated tariffs will affect women-headed households,” the Members explained in their letter.
“All mothers deserve to afford basic needs such as groceries and clothing for their children. All women should be able to purchase a coat without worrying the price is higher because of the coat’s gender classification. Our country’s own tariff system should not financially punish women for purchasing goods. During these uncertain economic times, we must uplift women and working families, not further financially burden them,” the Members continued.
“Secretary Bessent, we urge you to investigate these pink tariffs and provide a report on their impact on women and women-headed households. It is crucial that the Treasury Department finally address the existing inequities of our tariff system which, compounded by President Trump’s tariff policies, fall most heavily upon women and working families. We request a detailed response on what actions are being taken at the Treasury Department to address these matters within 60 days of receipt of this letter,” the Members concluded.
Access the full letter here.
Rep. Pettersen and Rep. Fletcher are longtime advocates against pink tariffs, and introduced a bill in March that, if passed, would require the Treasury Department to do a study on their impacts.
In addition to letter leads Lizzie Fletcher and Brittany Pettersen, the letter was signed by Nikema Williams, Frederica Wilson, Deborah Ross, Julia Brownley, Rashida Tlaib, Nanette Barragán, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Veronica Escobar, Laura Friedman, Jasmine Crockett, Nydia Velázquez, Valerie Foushee, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Betty McCollum, Sarah Elfreth, Delia Ramirez, Sarah McBride, Jan Schakowsky, and Teresa Leger Fernández.