He’s trying to help America.
Former President Donald Trump refers to himself as a “tariff man,” asserting that taxes on imported goods are “the greatest thing ever invented.” In response, Vice President Kamala Harris has criticized this aspect of Trump’s economic agenda as poor policy. However, a recent development caught many off guard: a House Democrat introduced legislation aimed at establishing Trump’s proposed 10% universal tariffs, highlighting a divide in both parties regarding trade policy.
Historically, tariffs date back to ancient civilizations like Athens and served as the primary revenue source for the federal government until the income tax took precedence in 1914. By the late 20th century, the U.S. embraced free trade, which significantly reduced consumer prices and spurred global economic growth. Yet, critics argue that this unrestrained trade has severely impacted American manufacturing, leading to a decline in well-paying jobs often associated with unionized labor, as domestic industries struggled to compete with cheaper overseas production.
This week, Trump emphasized the need for tariffs, claiming, “Other countries are going to finally, after 75 years, pay us back for all that we’ve done for the world, and the tariff will be substantial.” Meanwhile, Rep. Jared Golden, a moderate Democrat from Maine facing a challenging re-election campaign, introduced the tariff bill to bolster domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign products. Golden pointed out that while Trump has taken the lead on tariffs, the concept has deep roots in American history, suggesting that early leaders recognized the importance of avoiding dependency on foreign goods.
Harris has vehemently opposed Trump’s plan, arguing that it would increase costs for consumers already facing inflationary pressures. In an MSNBC interview, she described the proposed tariffs as akin to a sales tax on Americans and criticized Trump for being unserious about critical economic issues. Moreover, Trump’s proposal has faced opposition even from within the Republican Party, with Sen. Rand Paul introducing legislation requiring congressional approval for any presidential tariff increases, directly countering Trump’s intention to implement them through executive action.
Despite the criticism, the Biden-Harris administration has retained and even expanded some tariffs initially imposed by Trump on Chinese steel and aluminum, particularly in strategic sectors like electric vehicles and semiconductors. While Harris did not comment on these existing tariffs, the administration has consistently labeled blanket tariffs as “indiscriminate” measures that could jeopardize international alliances. Golden, however, argues that a broad tariff could enhance competitiveness for American-made products, pushing up quality as imports become less price-competitive. Although many economists warn that such tariffs would likely fuel inflation and result in job losses, public support remains strong, with recent polls indicating that 56% of Americans favor the idea, particularly in areas like Golden’s district that have suffered industrial decline in recent decades.
