Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is warning that Donald Trump’s new tariffs could harm both the U.S. economy and the Republican Party politically.
Calling tariffs a “tax” on Americans, Paul criticized Trump’s unilateral actions and cited historical examples where tariff policies led to major electoral losses. He joined three other GOP senators in voting to overturn Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canadian imports, arguing that allies like Canada shouldn’t face the same treatment as adversaries. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance defended Trump’s broader trade agenda, claiming it reverses decades of economic decline caused by globalist policies.