Oregon Democratic lawmakers sharply critical of President Trump’s tariffs; Wyden calls them ‘economic poison’
WASHINGTON (KTVZ) -- Three of Oregon's Democrats in Congress were sharply critical of the tariffs President Trump announced Wednesday involving countries around the world, with Senator Ron Wyden calling them "economic poison."
Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released the following statement on Donald Trump’s announcement of blanket tariffs on products Americans buy from around the world:
“American families need relief from rising prices and stagnant growth, but instead, Donald Trump—with buy-in from Congressional Republicans—is administering economic poison to our economy,” Wyden said.
“Trump’s short-sighted tariff plan won’t rebuild American manufacturing or help working families get ahead. It’s a tax on almost everything families buy, so Trump can give his billionaire friends a tax cut. And after Trump spent months flip-flopping about tariffs, no business, large or small, can make investments based on today’s announcement. There is every chance in the world Trump wakes up in a week and decides to do something else.
“The Republicans’ trade policy amounts to chaos and uncertainty all the way down, and working Americans are the victims. I plan to lead the effort to repeal these mindless blanket tariffs and give working families the relief from high prices that they need.”
Senator Jeff Merkley, who is holding three Central Oregon town halls this weekend, said the U.S's foreign relationships will forever be ruined.
"He's calling it Liberation Day. I would call that Trump-flation day," he told KTVZ News in an interview Wednesday. "Those tariffs are going to add a huge amount to the costs Americans pay. And then we're going to have a huge impact hurting us, in terms of the retaliatory tariffs."
Meanwhile, Rep. Janelle Bynum (OR-05) released the following statement after President Trump announced the additional tariffs, which she said could represent the largest increase in taxes in US history:
“Our families can’t afford to pay more for groceries, gas, repairs to their cars, or any other everyday item. Today’s announcement is yet another reckless decision by a reckless Administration that is making it extremely clear they don’t give a rat’s a** about the American people.
“I won’t sit by and watch as Donald Trump raises prices, crashes our economy and stock market, and makes life harder for Oregonians. That’s why I introduced the Protecting Families from Inflation Act, to lower costs for families and small businesses. I’ll always fight to make life more affordable for my constituents.”
Background
Last week, Congresswoman Bynum introduced the Protecting Families From Inflation Act to lower costs for families. The bill would require the Federal Reserve to examine the impact that tariffs have on inflation faced by consumers and small businesses.
Despite President Trump pledging to end inflation “on Day 1,” costs have continued to increase and his tariffs are making things worse – and crashing the stock market in the process. In her oversight role of the Federal Reserve through the Financial Services Committee, Rep. Bynum is working to fight against these reckless taxes on everyday goods and lower costs for the American people.
