Republicans hold their breath as Trump ignites trade war with Canada, Mexico and China: Tariffs are simply taxes

Republican lawmakers are treading carefully as President Trump deviates from traditional party orthodoxy by slapping large tariffs against America’s three largest trading partners in a brewing trade war.The move risks a significant cost of living spike, but despite some of the private angst from traditionalist GOPers, many are keeping their powder dry for now hoping Trump’s negotiating prowess comes through while populist Republicans cheer the protectionist policies.Of the Republicans praising Trump’s move, very few are doing so over the economic implications, instead commending the bid to extract concessions from America’s major trading partners.“I think these tariffs are designed to get these countries to change their behavior,” Sen.

Lindsey Graham (R-SC) told “Fox News Sunday.” “I am glad that we’re pushing back against China and Mexico when it comes to fentanyl poisoning of America.”“There’s been a 60 percent drop in illegal crossings in 10 days.So these tariffs, I think, are designed to bring about change.

And if the change comes, I think the tariffs probably go away.”There were an estimated 74,702 overdose deaths from synthetic opioids — primarily fentanyl — in 2023, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Curtailing fentanyl dissemination had been a top priority of Trump in the 2024 election.Trump fired off a warning shot last November shortly after his election victory, demanding Canada, China and Mexico take steps to ameliorate the fentanyl crisis in the US.

He also demanded Mexico and Canada help stem the illegal immigration inflowsOn Saturday, he carried through on that threat, slapping 25% across-the-board tariffs against Mexico and Canada as well as a 10% tariff against China.Those tariffs come in addition to pre-existing ones.

Since at least the Reagan era, Republicans have generally been proponents of free trade, but that started to shift under Trump.Very few Republican pols want to cr...