Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said in an interview Tuesday that President-elect Trump intends to impose high import taxes on Mexico, Canada and China on the first day of his new administration. He criticized the president's tariff threat.
“I think the president-elect has not been able to truly face the real consequences,” Blumenthal told anchor Kate Bolduan on CNN News Central.
“I think he's headed for a real horror show where the results are out of proportion to what he promised,” he added. “For example, preserving Medicare and Medicaid while simultaneously reducing government spending.”
President Trump announced on Monday that he would issue an executive order imposing new tariffs after campaigning on a protectionist “America First” policy.
In a post on Truth Social, the president-elect said he would impose a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican products, as well as an additional 10% tariff on Chinese products. Trump said the tariffs are aimed at putting pressure on countries to step up efforts to secure their borders and combat fentanyl exports to the United States.
“Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to simply resolve this long-smoldering issue. We hereby demand that they use this power, and that they Until they do, it's time for them to pay a very high price!'' President Trump said on Truth Social.
“When the practical impact is known to consumers and they know how they feel about inflation and see commodity prices go up,” Blumenthal said Tuesday, “the reaction is going to be very negative. , I believe so.'' [Trump’s] He will have to accept the consequences and take responsibility. ”
Mr. Blumenthal's fellow Senate Democrat, Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii, told reporters at the Capitol on Tuesday that he is concerned that Americans will face higher prices for goods as a result of President Trump's tariff plans. He said there was.
“Donald Trump has had very few policy views over the last 20 to 30 years. This seems to be what he's most passionate about,” Schatz said. “For him, this is a noble principle. So I don't think there's any reason to think he won't go through with it. And the law is very clear. He has the authority to do that.”
The Hill has reached out to Trump's transition team for comment.
