NBC News' Chuck Todd warned Wednesday that President-elect Trump's tariff plan would likely increase the price of avocados, calling it a “guacamole tax.”
“If there's a big deal about this, it's the guacamole tax. We get most of our avocados from Mexico, so if you enjoy guacamole, be prepared to pay even higher taxes if tariffs are applied,” Todd said. told MSNBC's Jose Diaz Balart.
President Trump announced Monday that he will issue an executive order imposing new tariffs on products from China, Canada and Mexico at the start of his next term.
In a post on Truth Social, the president-elect said he would impose a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican products, and 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.
In an appearance on MSNBC on Wednesday, Todd said the president-elect enjoys tariffs because they “bring people to the table.”
“In many ways, it makes people like him,” Todd added.
Some Democratic lawmakers have expressed concern about the president-elect's tariff threats. On Tuesday, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said he believed “the president-elect is not truly facing any real consequences” from the tariff threat.
“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.”
In a recent analysis for NBC News, Todd also questioned whether Trump has considered moral character factors in his recent cabinet appointments.
“The moment you cross political lines and start making exceptions for character flaws on your side, you're going to regret it, because one day it will come from your political opponents instead of your political allies,” Todd wrote in the article. said. “And wouldn't it be a shame if voters decided that politics today is for people of low character?”
“I am concerned that this is what we are facing,” he added.
The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.
