WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are quick to argue that President Donald Trump’s tariffs are detrimental and counterproductive. However, they also emphasize that they are not fundamentally against tariffs.
What Trump’s political adversaries truly object to is the “chaos” he has sparked.
“Tariffs are a significant instrument in our economic toolkit,” stated Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. “Trump is generating chaos, which undermines our economy and our families, both now and in the future. … He’s essentially created a global storm, and that benefits no one.”
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., remarked that Democrats share a consensus around “a unified concept: targeted tariffs can be effective, whereas blanket tariffs are harmful.”
“The definition of appropriate targeting varies based on perspective, but no one on our side advocates for zero tariffs permanently,” Kaine added.
The Democrats aim to project an image of reasonableness, emphasizing effective governance and their awareness of financial market concerns. This appeals to swing voters who desire more manufacturing in the U.S. but are wary of the outcomes of Trump’s tariff strategies. The challenge is that this nuanced position may struggle to compete against the simplicity of sharp critiques that spread quickly on social media.
To the Trump administration, this stance is pure hypocrisy.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted that Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who later became House speaker, warned back in June 1996 that trade with China could lead to increased trade deficits and job losses.
“This issue touches on nothing less than our economic future, national security, and democratic values,” Pelosi stated before the House chose not to override President Bill Clinton’s decision to renew China’s most-favored-nation trade status for another year.
The Trump administration interprets these comments as evidence that Democrats secretly support Trump’s actions, despite their public opposition.
“Everyone in Washington, whether they admit it or not, knows this president is correct regarding tariffs and trade,” Leavitt told reporters. “Nancy Pelosi can express her gratitude to President Trump today.”
Not all Democrats have navigated these waters smoothly.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently delivered a speech in Washington advocating for tariffs to be applied with precision, likening their use to that of a “scalpel.” Just hours later, she was seen in the Oval Office with Trump as he signed directives for the Justice Department to investigate several of his critics while making vague comments about tariff negotiations.
Whitmer’s office later clarified in a statement that she was “caught off guard” by being called to the event after her meeting with Trump and stressed that “her presence does not signify an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event.”
This month, Trump has unilaterally enacted sweeping tariffs on China, the European Union, Mexico, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and numerous other countries.
However, on Wednesday, he paused the majority of the tariffs for 90 days while instituting a baseline import tax of 10% on most nations, imposing a 145% tariff on Chinese goods and a tariff of up to 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada. There are also tariffs on automobiles, steel, and aluminum, with additional tariffs proposed for specific products.
The tariffs are anticipated to produce hundreds of billions of dollars in new revenue each year, but they might also lead to a drop in disposable income for the average U.S. household by more than $4,000, as importers and businesses pass the costs onto consumers.
Interest rates on U.S. debt are rising as investors express concerns regarding the stability of Trump’s policies. Major stock indices are declining, and consumer sentiment is recorded at the second lowest point in the history of the University of Michigan’s survey.
Some Democrats are striving to maintain focus on their constituents, revisiting key points from Trump’s tariff disputes during his first term.
“Farmers, in particular, who faced significant challenges during Trump’s previous trade conflicts, are fearful that this could threaten the viability of their businesses,” stated Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis. “These are primarily small and medium-sized family farms. Their costs will rise, and their export markets will diminish.”
Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wis., remarked that the tariffs would have “disastrous” effects on both urban and rural areas in her state. However, Moore added that Democrats should still push for improved labor and product standards to ensure American goods and services remain competitive in global markets.
“I know many of our autoworkers were drawn to vote for Donald Trump, thinking he would offer them some relief,” Moore said. “But the prices of vehicles are set to increase because the components are sourced globally. There seems to be no coherent strategy for this.”
Not all Democrats wish to temper their response to Trump’s trade measures.
“I’m not particularly concerned about what the Democratic response should be,” said Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii. “Trump is intentionally harming the American economy, and I think we should simply state that without overcomplicating the matter.”
