Republicans are already freaking out after realizing they’ll get what they voted for. Donald campaigned on tariffs. He’s obsessed with them, even though they are a consumer tax. But they placated him, and here we are with our economy in shambles.
Via Politico:
Trump has promised his rollout of global tariffs on April 2 will amount to a “Liberation Day” for the American economy. But dozens of GOP lawmakers worry privately that another round of tariffs will raise prices on U.S. consumers, cripple American farmers and rattle the stock market.
The stock market is already tumbling, but OK.
In anticipation, they are coordinating with various industry groups to push the administration for exemptions that protect key local industries from that kind of pain. They’re also trying to effectively void some of the tariffs on key products once they go into effect, lining up to push Trump officials for so-called exclusions.
Their quiet maneuvering signals the heightened anxiety among Republicans about the next phase of his trade wars — and the political pitfalls ahead for the president and his party. Four Republicans with direct knowledge of the strategy, granted anonymity to discuss the private conversations, described the behind-the-scenes planning as concerted and targeted.
