Two members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation said they hope President Donald Trump will rethink his proposed tariffs before they “leave massive wounds on our economy.”
Despite Trump announcing he would delay tariffs on two neighboring countries late Monday, “the threat remains,” US Sen. Richard Blumenthal said Tuesday.
Trump had planned to start imposing 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico starting Tuesday, but after meeting with leaders of both countries Monday he said he was delaying those tariffs for 30 days.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to send 10,000 members of her country’s national guard to the border to address drug trafficking and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to reinforce his country’s border to clamp down on migration and the flow of fentanyl, according to the Associated Press.
However, a 10% tariff on Chinese imports took effect Tuesday. In response, China announced retaliatory tariffs on coal, liquefied natural gas, crude oil, large-engine cars, and agricultural machinery from the United States starting Feb. 10.
During a Monday news conference in Waterbury, US Sen. Richard Blumenthal said he supports tightening controls at the borders to crack down on dangerous and deadly drugs like fentanyl making it into the US, but that the federal government ought to be targeting specific goods and services, not implementing tariffs on entire countries.
“What we buy here will increase in price,” Blumenthal said. “What we make here will be harder to sell.”
Blumenthal said the tariffs threaten to cause a massive self-inflicted trade war.
“It is a great danger,” Blumenthal said. “They will send prices surging at the pumps and in the grocery stores. They are costs that will be inflicted on everyday Americans.”
Using Super Bowl Sunday as an example, Blumenthal asked everyone to think of what they will eat and how they will travel. He said from the vegetables to the chips and guacamole to the beer you drink or gas you put in your car, every single thing would be affected by tariffs, if implemented.
Tuesday, the senator said the threat remains and the extra cost to consumers would be “devastating.”
“There is a sensible way to impose tariffs, punishing bad actors while minimizing costs and consequences on Americans, and this is not it,” Blumenthal said.
US Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-5th District, said Monday that the US should be working together with its allies to find solutions rather than imposing tariffs, which could hurt future collaboration.
“No matter your level of understanding of tariffs, you need to at least know that it trickles down and people in our community will pay,” Hayes said. “Our businesses here in Connecticut really don’t have a way to figure out a way forward.”
After the news that some of the tariffs have been delayed, Hayes on Tuesday said the president’s actions caused fear but did nothing to lower costs for the American people and that “erratic behavior” is no way to govern.
“Once again, an executive order was announced without thinking it all the way through or considering the harmful impact on the American people,” Hayes said. “We spoke up, the American people voiced their displeasure and Trump backed down.”
Gov. Ned Lamont also raised concerns about the planned tariffs during a news briefing Monday.
“Watch out for Chipotle, if you like avocados, because that’s going to go up a lot,” he said.
The governor also voiced concern about increased electric rates for Connecticut consumers if Canada decides to retaliate since it is controlling much of New England’s energy.
“We import a lot of natural gas and we import a lot of hydro from Canada, and all this back-and-forth with Canada is a real threat,” he said.
Regional transmission organization ISO New England said it has a long history of working with its neighbors like Canada and is assessing any potential restrictions on energy taken by Canadian officials in response to the proposed tariffs. Right now, it is unclear what the impact might be on electricity prices, it said, as it is still seeking guidance and awaiting further details from the Trump administration.
In a fact sheet from the White House, the Trump administration said, “Tariffs are a powerful, proven source of leverage for protecting the national interest. President Trump is using the tools at hand and taking decisive action that puts Americans’ safety and our national security first.”
However, despite his recent complaints about his perception that the current deal in place between the US, Canada, and Mexico – also known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) – it was Trump who negotiated that deal in the first place. He had campaigned on dropping out of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), and signed the USMCA in July 2020.
It is unclear what will happen after the 30-day postponement and whether the president intends to re-negotiate with Canadian and Mexican leaders.