Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Disastrous Trump Tariffs
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s announcement of Tariffs that will put a financial burden on working families across the country:
What we’re witnessing today is yet another example of Donald Trump’s complete disregard for working Americans. These tariffs aren’t about ‘liberation’ - they’re about exploitation. This is a tax hike, plain and simple, and every hardworking family in this country is about to pay the price.
Trump wants to frame this as a win for American workers, but these tariffs will send prices skyrocketing on everything from groceries to gas to life-saving medications. The average household is looking at an extra $4,000 a year in costs, all because Trump wants to play Russian Roulette with the American economy. Employers will have to lay off workers, and millions of Americans will be caught in the vice between higher prices and fewer jobs. This is not leadership, it is a dangerous and unnecessary threat to the livelihood of everyone in this country.
And let’s not ignore the clear corruption behind these decisions. By issuing blanket tariffs, Trump is putting himself in a position to offer waivers in exchange for bribes. Trump and his billionaire friends won’t suffer from this. They don’t worry about affording milk, heating their homes, or keeping their small businesses afloat. Meanwhile, Americans who actually make this country run - our farmers, factory workers, and small business owners - are going to take the hit. The last time Trump tried to start a trade war, it failed. Manufacturing didn’t boom, jobs didn’t come back. But he’s at it again, because he doesn’t care about the damage it will do to millions of Americans.