The Pink Tariffs Study Act would require a one-year government study to assess whether United States tariff rates on imported goods place an unequal burden on consumers and whether they reflect gender bias. The study would examine how tariff revenues are distributed across households, focusing on whether mass-market goods carry higher relative costs than luxury items, whether women are more affected than men, and how effects vary by gender, household type, and income. It would be conducted by the Treasury Department in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and in consultation with the ITC and USTR, with findings reported to Congress. The bill does not change any tariffs itself, but the results could inform future policy discussions on tariff design and equity.
Key Points
- 1Short title: The act may be cited as the “Pink Tariffs Study Act.”
- 2Study deadline and responsible parties: Not later than 1 year after enactment, the Secretary of the Treasury, in coordination with CBP, and in consultation with the ITC and USTR, must submit the study results to Congress.
- 3Scope of analysis: The study will examine (1) regressive effects on consumers (e.g., higher burden on mass-market goods vs. luxury items) and whether import avoidance occurs to avoid tariffs; (2) potential gender bias in which consumers import certain articles (e.g., clothing for women vs. men); (3) breakdown by gender, household type, and income; (4) any other relevant matters about how tariff burdens fall on different groups.
- 4Coverage: Applies to tariffs and tariff revenues on articles imported into the United States.
- 5Purpose: To inform Congress about equity implications of U.S. tariff policy and potential considerations for reform or adjustment.