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 inflows
On 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 cross Trump right now.
Perhaps his most vocal GOP critic on tariffs inside Congress is Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)
“Tariffs are simply taxes,” Paul vented on X. “We won the last election by complaining about Democrats’ policies, which gave us high prices. Tariff lovers will be forced to explain the persistence of high prices.”
Last year, well before Trump’s victory, key Republicans such as Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) voiced caution about tariffs, with the South Dakotan telling Axios at the time “Across-the-board tariffs is not something I have been for in the past.”
Others such as Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) previously expressed apprehension.
So far, they’re largely staying quiet now that Trump is forging ahead with the largest spate of tariffs in decades and downplaying concerns over it in the public eye.
“The president has such a pro-growth group of policies,” Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) told Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.”
“All of these things are pro-growth, going to help the economy. So I’m not concerned with the tariff component of that,” he said.
Trump has acknowledged that the public might feel “some pain” but he insists the price will be “worth it” in the end. Trade with Canada, Mexico, and China, accounts for some 40% of American imports — and about $1.4 trillion worth of trade annually.
The Tax Foundation has estimated that the broad tariffs could cost the average US household roughly $830 annually in increased taxes.
Democrats, who are eager to win back working-class voters they have hemorrhaged to Republicans, have pounced on Trump’s tariff spree, raising concerns that it will bite the average American’s wallet.
“Donald Trump is initiating a 25% increase in tariffs on Mexico and Canada,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said. “And what’s that going to mean? Higher prices, higher prices for New Yorkers, higher prices for Americans. It’s going to affect almost everything.”
“I’m hopeful we can get bipartisan legislation to prevent the president from raising these tariffs,” he added. “Or once he does, to roll them back. Everything you were promised during the election is out the window.”
Schumer warned that tariffs would have repercussions for everyday Americans watching the Super Bowl next week and cause the costs of party favorites like Corona and guacamole to spike.
Having been battered by political blowback over inflation, Democrats have almost been universally against Trump’s tariff play. One big exception is Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), a moderate rep from a very competitive district.
“I don’t agree with Trump on everything, but he’s right that the old deal stinks, and we need a new one,” Golden said in a statement.
“By privileging our own production and industries — something other countries already do — tariffs can help us rewire our economy for production, not just consumption.”
There are also geopolitical implications at play. Critics have fretted that the tariffs will alienate Canada and Mexico, which have historically been close US allies.
Canada has already announced retaliatory tariffs against the US, while Mexico has vowed to hit back. Canada is specifically aiming to concentrate its reprisal on red states to hurt Republicans politically.
“You’ve seen the president take action already this week with Colombia,” Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem told NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday. “And you saw Colombia react in a very positive way.”
“Canada, Mexico, other countries have the opportunity to do exactly the same,” she added. “If prices go up, it’s because of other people’s reactions to America’s laws.”
Trump had threatened Colombia with tariffs last week, prompting Bogotá to cave to his demands to take back illegal immigrants.
While many Republicans largely keep quiet on tariffs or have opted to focus on the negotiation aspect of Trump’s move, populist members of the party appear hopeful about the economic effects.
“I fully support President Trump’s move to impose tariffs on Mexico and Canada,” Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) wrote on X. “Ohio is open for business and will roll out the red carpet for any company manufacturing in America!”
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) also praised the move and credited Trump for “every nation taking advantage of the U.S. on notice that the America-first economy is BACK.” Scott also touted legislation to crack down on tariff evasion.
Trump has long fawned over tariffs, calling it the “fourth most beautiful word” after God, love and religion. In addition to leveraging tariffs for concessions, Trump has mused about setting up an “External Revenue Service” to bring in money from overseas.
There are risks of the president facing court challenges over his use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to pursue those tariffs via executive power.
