Trump Tariffs Are Risky Business, NJ Congresswoman Says
NEW JERSEY — A congresswoman from New Jersey is blasting the Trump Administration’s controversial new tariff on products imported from Mexico and Canada, which many experts say will increase costs for U.S. shoppers.The tariffs on both countries took effect on Tuesday. Goods imported from the two countries now face a 25 percent tariff (Canadian energy products were only hit with a 10 percent tariff). President Donald Trump announced plans to roll out the tariffs last month, but delayed them after Canadian and Mexican officials said they would step up oversight of drug enforcement at the U.S. border.Trump’s move sparked immediate blowback and concerns about a North American trade war, creating a plunge in the U.S. stock market. Canada has said it will impose tariffs on a wide range of U.S. products, and Mexico has said it will do the same.Trump also doubled the 10 percent tariff on exports from China to 20 percent. Beijing retaliated with tariffs of up to 15 percent on a range of U.S. farm exports. See Related: New Tariffs Take Effect: What That Could Mean For NJ ConsumersU.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), who is running for governor this year in New Jersey, was among those who criticized the president on Tuesday.“Today, Donald Trump decided to enact a massive sales tax on New Jersey families and businesses,” Sherrill said.“These tariffs will make everyday goods more expensive and put jobs and economic growth at risk,” Sherrill added. “As families face an affordability crisis, Trump’s tariffs will raise the cost of gasoline, cars and groceries even further.”Meanwhile, the president has argued that tariffs are a “very powerful weapon” that the U.S. can use to wrangle better trade agreements with other nations, using threats of a tariff against Mexico to “help secure the border” during his first term, as per a statement from the White House.“When our national security was threatened by a global oversupply of steel and aluminum, President Trump took swift action to protect America’s national security by implementing tariffs on imports of these goods,” the statement adds.The Trump Administration has suggested that inflation will not be as bad as economists claim, saying tariffs can motivate foreign companies to open factories in the United States.“To the Great Farmers of the United States: Get ready to start making a lot of agricultural product to be sold inside of the United States,” Trump posted on social media earlier this week.However, some economists say that American importers and businesses will likely pass along the cost of tariffs to consumers. An analysis by the Peterson Institute for International Economics suggests that the tariffs could cost the typical New Jersey family more than $1,200 a year.“There is absolutely no justification or need whatsoever for these tariffs today,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau replied to Trump. “Even though you’re a very smart guy, this is a very dumb thing to do.”That stance also struck a chord with Rep. Sherrill, who represents several towns in Essex, Morris and Passaic counties.Sherrill said that Canada — New Jersey’s largest export market — has already announced retaliatory tariffs on $155 billion in U.S. goods, which will devastate New Jersey businesses and jobs.The new tariffs will also impact the lumber and housing industry, putting the dream of homeownership even further out of reach for the middle and working class, she said.“Despite promising to lower costs, the president’s policies so far have driven them up for everyone except for billionaires like Elon Musk,” Sherrill said.New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District includes the following municipalities:Essex County – Belleville, Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair (part), North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, South Orange, West CaldwellMorris County – Boonton, Boonton Township, Butler, Chatham, Chatham Township, Denville, Dover, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover, Harding, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Madison, Mendham Twp (part), Montville, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Morristown Town, Mountain Lakes, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Pequannock, Randolph, Riverdale, Rockaway, Rockaway Township, Victory GardensPassaic County – Little Falls, Totowa, Wayne (part), Woodland ParkThis article contains reporting from the Associated PressSend local news tips and correction requests to [email protected]. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.The article Trump Tariffs Are Risky Business, NJ Congresswoman Says appeared first on Montclair, NJ Patch.
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