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This organization launched a massive anti-tariff campaign. Here’s why

By Sean Kitchen

July 8, 2025

Pennsylvania business owners call for US Rep. Scott Perry and congress to stand up to President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. 

A multimillion-dollar advertising campaign launched throughout Central Pennsylvania on Tuesday calling on US Rep. Scott Perry (R-York) to stand up to President Donald Trump’s administration and oppose the president’s tariff policy

The advertising blitz, backed by Affordable Pennsylvania, is part of a $4 million accountability campaign on radio, TV, digital and social media platforms and it features a Harrisburg area business owner who operates multiple coffee shops in the city. 

“At a time when economic uncertainty and rising prices make it more and more difficult to compete with the big chains and corporations, Scott Perry prioritized tax breaks for them over assistance for businesses and communities like mine.” Andrea Grove, owner of Elementary Coffee Co., said in a statement. 

Trump is set to renew this tariff policy at the beginning of next month, according to CNBC, when at least 14 countries will face blanket tariffs between 25% to 40%.

”I am relying on our representatives, like Congressman Scott Perry, to do the right thing and stand up for small businesses like mine,” Grove added.”

A tariff is essentially a tax on imports coming from other countries, which is then passed onto consumers. If a product that costs $100 is hit with a 10% or 20% tariff, consumers would end up paying more for that product. 

Trump originally announced sweeping tariffs aimed at dozens of countries earlier this year, but quickly paused them after facing the mounting pressure of potential economic collapse. 

Perry, who initially supported all of Trump’s tariffs, is calling on the administration to end tariffs on cocoa beans because Hershey Chocolates is located in his district. The administration imposed a 21% tariff on the Côte d’Ivoire and a 10% tariff on Ecuador and Ghana, which are all leading cocoa bean producers.  

“[Grove] is just one of many constituents calling on Scott Perry to prioritize their livelihoods over bigger tax breaks for billionaires,” Rachele Fortier, executive director of Affordable Pennsylvania, said in a statement. “Stories like Andrea’s must be told so that Congressman Perry can see the very real consequences of his actions in Washington on his constituents in Pennsylvania..”

 

Author

  • Sean Kitchen

    Sean Kitchen is the Keystone’s political correspondent, based in Harrisburg. Sean is originally from Philadelphia and spent five years working as a writer and researcher for Pennsylvania Spotlight.

CATEGORIES: NATIONAL ECONOMY

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