National Taxpayers Union President Pete Sepp on Saturday issued a statement in response to President Donald Trump’s newly announced tariffs.
“President Trump proposed a wise policy in 2017 of zero tariffs, zero subsidies, and zero trade barriers among all nations with which the U.S. engages in commerce. Today, that policy is as vital as ever before, and should be the guidestar going forward, instead of higher tariffs that burden workers and families here in the United States.
Tariffs are a tax increase on American households and manufacturers. Putting a tax on goods Americans depend upon jeopardizes the Make America Great Again agenda, including the Trump Administration’s plan to unleash American energy and its efforts to lower the cost of housing, food, and fuel. Instead, American families will suffer under the crushing weight of tarifflation. Tariffs also put American farmers and ranchers who sell in the global marketplace at risk of suffering retaliatory tariffs.
America need not surrender to win on trade. The President can engage Treasury Secretary Bessent’s team now, to start negotiating tough but necessary concessions. Congress should also assert its constitutional trade authority to exert healthy pressure for trade policies that will reach the "zero-zero-zero" goal rather than start a trade war no one wins.
The outcome will benefit everyone from Kansas farmers to Alabama autoworkers.
President Trump’s original 2017 vision of negotiating down to zero tariffs imposed by the U.S. in exchange for zero tariffs from other nations remains the best course. Doing so will truly put the American worker first and ensure the U.S. economy has the raw materials and resources at the right price to come roaring back under President Trump’s leadership.”