Congresswoman McCollum: Trump Tariffs Will "Liberate" Americans Only From the Money in Their Bank Accounts

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Dean of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation, issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s imposition of tariffs for his phony ‘Liberation Day’: 

“As a candidate, Donald Trump promised he’d lower costs on ‘Day One.’ As President, Trump has done nothing to reduce prices, instead fueling rising prices by waging an unprompted trade war with our allies like Canada, Mexico, and Europe. President Trump has proclaimed this day as ‘Liberation Day’ but these tariffs will only “liberate” Americans from the money in their bank accounts. These trade wars will cost Americans when they heat their homes, feed their families, run their small businesses, or tend to their farm.

“President Trump knows this escalating trade war will hit Americans hard. That’s why he’s announcing these new reciprocal tariffs at 4pm ET, after American financial markets close. If the President is so worried about what will happen to Americans’ 401Ks, I suggest that he work to deescalate these trade wars he started and recommit the United States to relationships with our allies. 

“Not only will the President’s tariffs inflict financial pain on my constituents, but they will also damage our relationships with our allies in Europe and Canada. Canada is an ally, a partner, and for many—a good neighbor. I’m a former social studies teacher. I know that tariffs can be a useful tool to protect American industry when used in a targeted manner at the right point in the supply chain. But President Trump’s tariffs are reckless, unnecessary, and make no sense at all. As a Minnesotan, the only thing I want to argue with my Canadian neighbors about is who has the better hockey team and who can catch the most fish in the others’ waters.”

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