'We don't have a choice': A business group decides to push back on Trump

Source: Politico

‘We don’t have a choice’: A business group decides to push back on Trump

In its first-ever weeklong fly-in, the Consumer Technology Association is swarming Washington to push against Trump’s tariffs.

By Gabby Miller
05/08/2025 05:21 PM EDT

A major American trade group flew company executives into Washington for its first weeklong trade campaign in an effort to stop President Donald Trump’s tariff plan — a rare direct pushback against the White House that could come with political costs.

The Consumer Technology Association, a lobby representing both global tech giants and smaller device manufacturers, declared its first “fly-in week,” with a reception this week at its Washington headquarters, visits to Capitol Hill and meetings with administration officials. It also launched a six-figure ad blitz in the Washington press and at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Its campaign is an attempt to solve a problem facing many once-connected industry groups trying to navigate Trump’s Washington: to get the attention of the White House without riling up a president known for lashing back at critics. It also needs to convince Republicans to break ranks with a president who seems committed to jacking up tariffs even if they cause economic harm.

“It’s a bit of an experiment,” Ed Brzytwa, CTA’s vice president of international trade, told POLITICO in an interview ahead of the event. “We’re trying to engage [with the administration] as best as we can.”

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Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/08/tech-executives-pressure-trump-tariffs-00336732