North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis is extremely skeptical of President Trump’s sweeping tariffs on countries around the globe and wanted to know who to ‘choke’ if the administration’s approach fails.
The Republican senator grilled U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer about who came up with the plan to impose widespread tariffs all at once during a hearing on Capitol Hill.
He was one of several Republican senators who voiced concerns over how the administration was handling tariffs and the escalating trade war.
‘I’m assume this all got gamed out because it’s a novel approach, it needed to be thought out. Whose throat do I get to choke if this proves to be wrong?’ Tillis asked.
‘Well senator, you can certainly always talk to me,’ Greer responded, acknowledging he was at the ‘tip of the spear’ when it comes to tariffs.
‘Did you propose the alla prima approach?’ Tillis followed up, digging in on how all the tariffs are being slapped on nearly all countries at once.
But Greer tried to sidestep the question noting that the plan excluded some specific imports like semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.
Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) watching U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer testify about Trump’s tariffs on Capitol Hill on April 8
Tillis moved on but he later observed that it appeared the U.S. had decided to begin a trade war ‘on all fronts.’
He argued that it might be ok if whoever thought out the plan had answers on why the U.S. went after close U.S. partners and didn’t give developing countries a break so they don’t look instead to Chinese investors.
Tillis claimed he was still getting his head around the all at once approach with the U.S. imposing tariffs across the board.
‘If you own this decision then I’ll look to you to figure out if we’re going to be successful,’ Tillis said.
‘If you don’t on the decision, I’m just trying to figure out whose throat I get to choke if it’s wrong and who I put up on a platform and thank them for the novel approach that was successful if they’re right,’ he added.
The North Carolina lawmaker is up for reelection next year. He raised concerns about how people are going to feel about the tariffs down the road and noted that 401k retirement funds are taking a hit.
Tillis speaking with Greer ahead of the hearing where he pressed him on who he gets to ‘choke’ if President Trump’s tariff plan fails. The senator has expressed skepticism with how the administration is handling the escalating trade war and levying duties
One week ago, Trump announced that every country – even uninhabited islands – would be hit with a 10 percent tariff on imports, with higher ‘reciprocal’ tariffs on countries the White House deemed the worst offenders.
The White House indicated that some 70 countries had reached out to try to make deals but the tariffs still went into effect on Wednesday as negotiations continued.
But multiple Republican senators raised concerns to Greer over the escalating trade war with China, but the U.S. trade representative indicated it did not appear the U.S. would reach a deal with China in the near term.
Trump had initially pitched a 34 percent increase on China which had already been slapped with tariffs. When China refused to back down on its retaliation, the president increased tariffs on the major trade partner to 104 percent.
On Wednesday, China announced it would impose 84 percent tariffs on the U.S. in return.
At the same hearing on Tuesday, GOP Senator Ron Johnson said he is ‘disappointed’ to hear exclusions were being ruled out as lawmakers pressed for exemptions for some produces to help businesses sounding the alarms in their states.
Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said he was ‘disappointed’ there were not be exemptions to the president’s tariffs
The Wisconsin senator and Trump ally said there are very specifics situations where exclusions should be considered.
‘I hope that you and the president are very sensitive about companies potentially going bankrupt by these actions,’ Johnson warned.
The MAGA Republican said he doesn’t usually agree with Democrats but noted they are aligned when they bring up concerns about small businesses in their states.
He said they want fair trade but warned tariffs are a ‘double edged sword’ and a ‘somewhat blunt instrument.’
Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) also raised questions about the timeline of negotiations to reach trade deals.
‘We don’t have any particular timeline set on that,’ Greer told him but insisted they are moving ‘as quickly as possible.’
