Carlton’s Trey Kraus rallies against tariffs in D.C.

Hundreds of business owners from across the country converged in Washington, D.C., in recent days to testify against President Donald Trump’s proposed 25 percent tariff on an additional $300 billion worth of goods from China.

Trey Kraus, owner of Carlton’s clothing store in Rehoboth Beach, was among those who testified, representing the National Retail Federation, which according to its website, is the world’s largest retail trade association.

Kraus said he is very much against the tariffs, and he testified because he wanted Rehoboth to have a voice at the hearing.

A lot of local businesses operate because customers have disposable income when they visit the area, Kraus said, predicting these tariffs would reduce that income.

Kraus said this marked his first time testifying at a hearing in Washington, D.C., and the process is impressive.

Seven days of all-day testimony took place at hearings before the U.S. International Trade Commission in downtown Washington, D.C.  People spoke in groups of six, with each person having five minutes to speak.

A total of 55 six-person panels were scheduled to speak.

Kraus said it was great to see businesses large and small being represented from across the country. It was inspiring, he said, to see so many people participating in the nation’s democratic process. He encouraged others to testify as well, on any issue.

“These tariffs are not being borne out by China. It’s not being borne out by the companies. It’s not being borne out by the retailers,” Kraus said. “It’s the American people, who at the end of the day, are being passed along the higher pricing.”