Wisconsin Senators Tammy Baldwin (D) and Ron Johnson (R)
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Wisconsin’s two U.S. Senators don’t often see eye-to-eye on major issues, but both have concerns about President Trump’s pending tariffs.
“I have my very serious concerns about general overall long term tariffs,” said Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin.
Johnson points out tariffs were a contributing factor to the Great Depression.
Trump has put 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico on hold for 30 days as both countries agreed to step up efforts to combat illegal border crossings and the distribution of fentanyl.
“It seems like President Trump is very in favor of them (tariffs), I would be concerned about that,” said Johnson.
Johnson says he hopes the tariffs never take effect, but believes they work in some situations. He used the example of Trump’s first term when there was a surge in illegal border crossings.
“When he had his surge, he implemented Remain in Mexico, Safe Third Countries,” said Johnson. “It wasn’t working because Mexico wasn’t cooperating, so he threatened tariffs. Mexico cooperated, bingo, within a year we had the border secured.”
Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin doesn’t remember Trump’s first term use of tariffs as fondly.
“What happened last time is there were first tariffs, then retaliatory tariffs,” said Baldwin. “It was affecting both our export and our import markets. Our farmers really took a huge hit.”
Baldwin says challenges like tariffs are why she’s trying to expand the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives, a program which provides grants to dairy businesses to expand and upgrade.
She wants people to use the delays to the tariffs for Canada and Mexico wisely.
“I think we have some time to elevate the voices of Wisconsin farmers about what it would mean if these were put back into effect,” said Baldwin. “I do believe our farmers and our manufacturers will be hurt by across the board tariffs.”
A new 10% tariff on goods from China took effect Tuesday.
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