Former Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) warned on Wednesday about President Trump's tariff plans and “big, lingering concerns.”
“In recent weeks, the president has sought to charge cleaning fees on Mexico, Canada and China, as well as major imports such as steel and aluminum,” McConnell said in his opinion. Works for the Courier Journal.
“The administration has planned to impose a 25% obligation on imports from Mexico and Canada, but has been suspended for 30 days as both countries strengthened border security and brokered transactions to crack down on illegal drugs. “Industry and workers,” the Kentucky Republican added.
Earlier this month, President Trump signed an order that imposes a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican products. Within the next few days, Trump agreed with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Shainbaum to delay tariffs for at least a month.
Trump also imposed a 10% tariff on all imports from China, urging China to announce retaliatory tariffs targeting liquefied natural gas, coal, agricultural machinery and other products. On Monday, he registered the US new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and cracked down on China and Russia's attempts to avoid penalties.
“It's certainly time for America's closest neighbors to take the crisis seriously at our borders. But regardless of our best intentions, tariffs are a bad policy,” McConnell said. . “As Senator Rand Paul said, “Tax is simply a tax… taxation means there is less trade and prices will rise.” So Republicans say we are healthy in government. As we work to restore fiscal policy, we should be clear about the complete and pure impact of tariffs. ”
McConnell recently criticized tariffs from Trump in Canada and Mexico in an interview with Lesley Stahl about CBS' “60 Minutes.”
“It drives all costs. In other words, it's paid by American consumers. So why do you want to fight your allies about this?” McConnell said in an interview.
Oka reached out to the White House for comments.
