Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement after President Trump said he would move forward with sweeping tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting tomorrow.
“President Trump’s trade war breaks one of his signature promises to lower costs for Americans. These new taxes on imports from our two largest trading partners and closest allies will cost families thousands of dollars at the grocery store, the gas station, and the pharmacy counter.
“No president should be able to raise taxes without a vote in Congress. Yet, Republicans are silent on this executive overreach. They need to be put on the record whether they stand with working families or the president’s senseless cost-raising economic agenda.”
Background
Today, Trump said starting tomorrow he will move forward with 25% tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico.
Also today, Trump placed an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods, doubling the tariffs he put in place in February.
Trump is also saying he plans to put in place reciprocal tariffs on other trading partners in April.
Combined, these tariffs represent the largest tax increase on the American people in a generation.
Last week, DelBene criticized Republicans for capitulating to Trump on trade policy in total contrast to their own views when Biden was president.
These tariffs are estimated to directly raise prices on consumer goods by upwards of $2,000 a year for the average American family.
The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board called Trump’s tariffs, “The Dumbest Trade War in History.”
In January, DelBene and Beyer reintroduced legislation that would prevent the President of the United States from imposing import tariffs under the guise of a national emergency without Congressional approval.
