'Whose throat do I get to choke': Many Republicans are struggling to understand the logic of Trump's tariff actions

Key Points

  • US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer faced tough questioning from Congress about Trump's tariff plans, revealing confusion and skepticism among GOP lawmakers.
  • President Trump announced a 90-day pause on his reciprocal tariff plans, surprising everyone including Greer, who confirmed the pause but offered no further details.
  • Republican lawmakers expressed concerns over the potential economic impacts of the tariffs, including inflation, trade deficits, and the lack of clear success measures.
  • Bipartisan legislative efforts are underway to either block or require Congressional approval for Trump's tariffs, indicating significant pushback against the administration's trade policy.

Summary

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer's testimony before Congress highlighted the confusion and skepticism surrounding President Trump's tariff policies. During his appearance, Trump unexpectedly announced a 90-day pause on his reciprocal tariff plans, which caught Greer and lawmakers off guard. This announcement came amidst ongoing concerns from Republican lawmakers about the potential economic repercussions of these tariffs, including inflation, the focus on trade deficits, and the absence of clear metrics for success. Despite some support for Trump's overarching goal to address global trade imbalances, there was palpable unease about the execution and implications of his strategy. Bipartisan efforts in Congress are now moving forward to either block the tariffs or mandate Congressional approval, reflecting significant discord within Trump's own party. This discord is seen as potentially problematic for Republicans as the election season approaches, with some lawmakers setting deadlines for economic recovery to avoid voter backlash. The situation underscores the contentious nature of Trump's trade policies and their uncertain future in the legislative arena.

yahoo
April 10, 2025
Stocks
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