Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul, Morgan McGarvey express concerns over Trump's tariffs
Several of Kentucky's top lawmakers are expressing concerns with President Donald Trump's decision to impose stark tariffs on three of America's key trade partners — including both the state's Republican senators.
On Saturday, Trump signed a trio of executive orders imposing a 25% tariff on Mexican and most Canadian imports and a 10% on goods from China starting Tuesday.
On Monday, Trump announced he had reached an agreement with Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum to pause the tariff on Mexican goods for one month.
While tariffs are part of Trump's strategy to increase tax revenue and protect jobs, some are worried his plan could increase the cost of goods for Americans and spark a trade war.
Here's what some members of Kentucky's federal delegation and the state's governor had to say about the tariffs.
U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell
In a interview with CBS News' Lesley Stahl, Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell said American consumers could pay the price of Trump's tariffs.
"It will drive the cost of everything up," McConnell said. "In other words, it will be paid for by American consumers. I mean, why would you want to get in a fight with your allies over this?"
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Republican Sen. Rand Paul said "tariffs are simply taxes. Conservatives once united against new taxes. Taxing trade will mean less trade and higher prices."
"We won the last election by complaining about Democrats' policies, which gave us high prices," Paul continued. "Tariff lovers will be forced to explain the persistence of high prices."
Gov. Andy Beshear
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear wrote a letter to all eight members of Kentucky's federal delegation asking them to "stand up and fight for the tens and thousands of Kentuckians in your districts who will be impacted" by the tariffs.
"Federal tariffs imposed yesterday have already led to retaliatory actions on Kentucky bourbon that will be costly, disruptive, and harmful to many thousands of Kentucky men and women who support their families in the working industry," Beshear said in the letter.
U.S Rep. Morgan McGarvey
Kentucky's lone Democratic federal representative sent a letter to Trump on Sunday saying the tariffs could harm Kentucky's bourbon industry and will raise the cost of living in the U.S.
“These tariffs threaten to destroy a heritage that is uniquely American and vital to Kentucky's economy," McGarvey wrote. "The tariffs will hurt farmers who grow corn, wheat, and rye. They will hurt coopers who char and fit our white oak barrels. ... Kentuckians know this is true because we lived through the collateral damage of the trade wars of your first term, when American whisky exports dropped by 20 percent."
In a statement, McGarvey also called the tariffs "petty, shortsighted, and incredibly harmful to American consumers and workers alike."
By: Hannah Pinski
Source: Louisville Courier Journal