Florida stationery business owner sues Trump administration over tariffs: “We can’t survive the short-term pain”

Simplified, a small stationery business based in Pensacola, Florida, has been thriving for the past 17 years under the leadership of Emily Ley. Despite producing its planners in China for American consumers, the company is now facing the impact of sky-high tariffs imposed by President Trump.

Ley, determined to fight against the tariffs, has enlisted the help of the nonpartisan New Civil Liberties Alliance to file a federal lawsuit against the president and other government officials. She argues that bypassing Congressional approval for the tariffs has silenced the voices of American voters, including herself, who are directly affected by the fees.

The president defends the tariffs as a necessary short-term sacrifice for long-term economic gains. However, Ley points out that small businesses like Simplified do not have the resources to weather the immediate financial strain caused by the tariffs. With nearly $1.2 million already paid in tariffs and facing additional payments of up to $1 million this year, Ley is left with no choice but to consider raising prices on her products significantly.

To maintain profitability in the face of a 145% tariff increase, Ley would have to more than double the prices of her planners, which she believes would be unsustainable for her customers. As a result, she may be forced to reduce salaries or even eliminate positions among the eight women she employs, a decision she finds distressing.

Ley emphasizes that the unique manufacturing infrastructure in China allows for higher quality and more affordable production of her planners. Multiple factories in the Shenzhen region work together seamlessly to create the final product. This level of efficiency and cost-effectiveness is not easily replicable in the U.S. or other countries.

In response to the lawsuit, a White House spokesperson asserts the president’s authority to impose tariffs in national emergencies, such as the opioid crisis. However, Ley remains adamant that her business cannot withstand the burden of such tariffs, labeling the situation as “truly catastrophic” for small businesses like hers.

As the legal battle unfolds, Ley remains determined to protect her American dream and the livelihood of her employees. The outcome of the lawsuit will not only impact Simplified but also serve as a litmus test for the future of small businesses in the midst of a global trade war.