Polis pushes back on Whitmer’s remarks on tariffs

 

 Gov. of Colorado Jared Polis (D), who challenged Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s (D) remarks on tariffs during her speech in Washington on Wednesday. 

 "In the end, the "tariff hammer" hits your hand rather than the nail. In a post on X, Polis stated, "Tariffs are absolutely bad because they lead to higher prices and destroy American manufacturing." “Trade is inherently good because both parties emerge better off from a consensual transaction.  Although sanctions against Russia and Iran have the potential to play a role in geopolitical national security, "it should always be considered eyes wide open that sanctions harm both ourself and others," he went on to say. Polis was responding to a portion of Whitmer's Wednesday speech in Washington in which she said there was room for some agreement with the president despite her caution against using the "tariff hammer." “I understand the motivation behind the tariffs, and here’s where President Trump and I do agree.  Yes, we must increase American production of automobiles, chips, steel, and ships. We do need fair trade,” she said. 

 According to Whitmer, "bringing good-paying, middle-class manufacturing jobs back home" must be carried out correctly. I've already stated that I'm not completely opposed to tariffs, but they are a blunt instrument. You can’t just bust out the tariff hammer to swing at every problem without a clearly defined end-goal,” she said. 

 Whitmer is widely regarded as a potential Democratic presidential candidate in 2028. Polis, for his part, has also increasingly taken steps to up his national profile.

 Trump’s trade war intensified on Wednesday after China announced a new 50 percent tariff on U.S. exports, bringing its total new tariff on U.S. goods to 84 percent.  On Wednesday, the European Union also announced 25 percent tariffs on a wide range of American goods. Despite disagreements over the issue between the administration and the Republican Party, the president has stuck to his tariff policy.