To the editor:

Tariffs, whether on newsprint or anything else, are a terrible idea because they punish the rest of us just to benefit a few politically connected interests, as your recent editorial underscores (“Stefanik stands up to newsprint tariffs,” May 18).

Newspapers across the country are struggling with the impact of these tariffs. For example, the Tampa Bay Times was forced to lay off approximately 50 people. Those are lives and families deeply affected, in addition to the damage done to a community institution — the daily newspaper. Tariffs on steel, aluminum and other products have triggered a similarly negative chain reaction in other industries, from agriculture to manufacturing.

History and economists alike have demonstrated how tariffs are penny-wise and pound-foolish.

Nathan Nascimento

Executive vice president

Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce

Arlington, Virginia