Who would’ve thought Democrats and former Senate Majority Chief Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, would discover themselves agreeing on the stupidity of President Donald Trump’s newest govt order relating to tariffs?
“[Tariffs] will drive the cost of everything up. In other words, it will be paid for by American consumers. I mean, why would you want to get in a fight with your allies over this?” McConnell mentioned.
By that, McConnell was referring to Trump’s newly introduced choice to impose tariffs in opposition to Canada, China, and Mexico. On Saturday, Trump signed an govt order imposing a 25% tariff on items from Canada and Mexico, and a ten% tariff on Canadian oil and gasoline. Trump cited the international locations’ respective questionable failures to curb the stream of fentanyl and undocumented immigrants to the USA. Trump additionally levied a ten% tariff on items from China.
The response was swift: Not solely did the inventory market plunge, however Canada and Mexico shortly introduced plans to order retaliatory tariffs on American items if Trump strikes ahead along with his shortsighted plan. Already, although, he’s exhibiting indicators of wavering.
Trump mentioned on Monday he’ll pause the implementation of tariffs in opposition to Mexico for one month whereas the 2 international locations hammer out an settlement on safety and commerce.
In a submit to Fact Social, Trump mentioned he had a “very friendly conversation” with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and revealed that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio would take part in negotiations with Mexican officers throughout the one-month pause.
It’s not clear whether or not Trump will take the identical strategy with Canada and China, and if he doesn’t, each international locations are ready to strike again.
This previous Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged to answer Trump’s tariffs in a “forceful but reasonable” method.
“I won’t sugarcoat it—our nation could be facing difficult times in the coming days and weeks,” Trudeau mentioned to an advisory council on Canada-U.S. relations. “I know Canadians might be anxious and worried, but I want them to know the federal government—and indeed, all orders of government—have their backs.”
Extra just lately, on Sunday, China’s Overseas Ministry threatened to take “necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests.”
Sen. Rand Paul
Maybe it’s not stunning that McConnell, a vocal critic of the president, was one of many first Republicans to flat-out say that Trump’s tariff concept was a silly one. However he’s not the one member of the GOP who has cited issues about tariffs resulting in inflated costs for People.
Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who solely just lately began to bitter on the president, wrote in a latest submit to social media that “tariffs are simply taxes.”
“Conservatives were once united against new taxes,” he mentioned on X. “Taxing trade will mean less trade and higher prices.”
In the meantime, Rep. Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, additionally expressed skepticism in regards to the tariffs.
“We already had a trade agreement and it was a good trade agreement,” he mentioned on CNN. “It’s hard for me to square that circle. We’ll see what the impacts are over the next couple of weeks.”
Then there are a number of members of the GOP who’re extra involved with how tariffs will have an effect on them personally. Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, mentioned farmers in his state are nonetheless reeling from excessive fertilizer costs because of “Biden inflation” and might’t afford one other hit. Consequently, he just lately begged Trump to exempt potash, or potassium-rich minerals which can be a important part of fertilizer.
“Family farmers get most of our potash from Canada,” Grassley wrote on X.
Whereas most Republicans are maintaining their powder dry, probably out of concern of pissing off Trump and his MAGA loyalists, the mixed statements from Paul and McConnell, not less than, put the duo squarely consistent with the place most Democrats are on the problem. In any case, we all know tariffs received’t deliver down the worth of groceries, one thing Trump pledged to do.
There’s a widespread concern that Trump’s tariffs will as a substitute result in hovering grocery retailer payments. The price of automobiles and automobile components, electronics, and gasoline are more likely to enhance as properly.
Trump’s delusion has led him to imagine his tariffs, or the specter of him imposing them, will drive different international locations to conform along with his whims and calls for. However we don’t but know that to be true. What we do know is that beginning quickly, People would possibly expertise some sticker shock the following time they go to the shop. They usually have Trump responsible for that.
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