Post Reports The small-business owner suing Trump over tariffs
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May 19, 2025 
Cat Zakrzewski, a White House reporter for The Washington Post, dives into Emily Ley's unexpected journey from crafting planners to challenging Trump’s tariffs in court. Ley’s business, catering to busy parents, is threatened by rising manufacturing costs tied to international trade policies. The discussion highlights the emotional toll on small business owners navigating these challenges and the complex legal battle that ensues, revealing a personal transformation as she transitions from lifestyle influencer to political advocate.
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Emily's Business Origin Story
- Emily Ley started a planner business to simplify overwhelmed women's lives like hers.
- Her products are made cost-effectively in China as US manufacturing was too expensive.
US Manufacturing Limits Business
- US manufacturing is expensive and largely unavailable for small businesses like Emily's.
- She chose trusted Chinese manufacturers due to quality, ethics, and cost reasons.
Tariffs Devastated Early Growth
- Emily's planners now sell at Target but were costly to make initially in the US.
- Tariffs in 2018 caused hundreds of thousands in extra costs, pausing expansion plans.