Author:
Rachel Greszler
Plymouth Institute for Free Enterprise
Topline
President Trump’s still-evolving tariff policies fuel K Street profits while American families pay the price.
K Street Tariff Revenues Keep Growing
- 690% increase in second-quarter (Q2) tariff lobbying revenues in 2026 vs. 2024.
- 956% increase in Q2 tariff lobbying revenues vs. 2016, pre-Trump levels.
- 230% increase in the number of registered tariff lobbying disclosures vs. 2024.
Lobbying Contracts Targeted the Trump Administration’s Tariffs
- At least 15 referenced Section 232 tariffs
- At least 13 referenced Section 301 tariffs
- At least 4 referenced IEEPA tariffs
- At least 22 listed “tariffs” as their sole lobbying issue.
Rather than a New Golden Age, Tariffs Are Hurting Those They Claim to Help
- During the Liberation Day IEEPA tariffs, the economy lost ~5,000 jobs per month.
- Since the Liberation Day tariffs were struck down, the American economy has added 137,000 jobs per month.
- AAF analysis found that the Liberation Day tariffs cost 75,000 to 80,000 jobs per month.
- On July 20, the Trump Administration announced new Section 338 tariffs on select Canadian products—such as cars, alcohol, dairy, cement, and hockey sticks.
Bottomline
While big businesses have the resources to pay K Street to lobby for tariff carve-outs, families and small businesses are left to pay the full tariff tax, distorting the free-enterprise system that makes America great.
