Trump Tariff Transparency Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]
- Committees
- Small Business Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Dec 18, 2025
Bottom line
The bill requires regular public reporting on the financial impact of recent tariffs on American consumers and small businesses.
What it actually does
This bill mandates that the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Director of the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), produce and publicly release quarterly reports detailing the average aggregate cost of tariffs imposed after January 20, 2025, to both consumers and small business concerns. The final quarterly report for each calendar year must also include the total annual cost of these tariffs.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill will increase transparency and provide crucial data on the economic impact of tariffs, allowing policymakers, small businesses, and consumers to make more informed decisions. They contend that understanding the true costs of tariffs is essential for evaluating trade policies and ensuring accountability, particularly for small businesses that may struggle to absorb increased import costs.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that this bill imposes an unnecessary administrative burden on the SBA and BEA, potentially diverting resources from other core functions. They may also contend that quantifying the 'average aggregate cost' of tariffs is complex and prone to methodological disputes, potentially leading to politically charged or misleading data rather than objective economic analysis.
The bill is very short and straightforward, making it highly accessible for any reader to understand its core purpose quickly.
Section 2(a) and 2(b)
Quarterly and Annual Reports on Tariff Costs
This provision requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator, working with the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), to publish reports every three months. These reports must detail the total average cost that tariffs, specifically those put in place after January 20, 2025, have on American consumers and small businesses. Additionally, the last report of each year must summarize the total annual cost of these tariffs.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this reporting is vital for economic transparency, providing concrete data to assess the real-world impact of trade policies on everyday Americans and the backbone of the economy, small businesses. They believe this information will empower better decision-making and hold policymakers accountable for the consequences of tariff impositions.
Critics contend
Critics may contend that the administrative burden and cost of producing these reports outweigh the benefits, especially if similar data is already collected or if the methodology for calculating 'aggregate cost' is inherently subjective. They might also suggest that such reports could be used for political messaging rather than objective economic analysis, potentially misrepresenting the complex factors influencing prices.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the desire for increased transparency and data-driven policymaking against the administrative costs and potential for political interpretation of complex economic data. There is a tension between providing clear, accessible information and the inherent difficulty of isolating and quantifying the precise impact of tariffs amidst other economic variables.