Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Shapiro both criticized the Trump administration’s tariff policy. Cruz urged the president to negotiate lower tariffs, warning against their permanent implementation. Shapiro argued that the tariffs constitute a massive tax increase on American consumers and producers, and are based on flawed economic assumptions. Both conservatives expressed concern that the administration’s approach to trade would harm the American economy. The administration has, however, maintained its stance against lowering tariffs.
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asserts the U.S. holds a strategic advantage in its trade dispute with China, citing a significantly smaller volume of U.S. exports to China compared to Chinese exports to the U.S. The U.S. is implementing reciprocal tariffs to encourage negotiations and reshore jobs, with several countries already expressing interest in talks. While China has vowed to retaliate, the U.S. aims to address both tariffs and non-tariff barriers to create a fairer trade environment, ultimately generating revenue and jobs domestically. The administration hopes tariffs will act as a temporary revenue source, eventually diminishing as domestic manufacturing increases.
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Seven Republican senators have signed onto a bill designed to curb President Trump’s trade authority, marking a notable development in the ongoing debate over his trade policies. This action signals a potential shift within the GOP, indicating that not all members are entirely aligned with the former president’s aggressive trade tactics. The fact that this many senators are willing to publicly challenge Trump’s approach, even if it’s potentially a symbolic gesture at this stage, is significant.
This bipartisan effort to rein in Trump’s executive power regarding trade is noteworthy. It suggests a growing recognition among some Republicans of the potential negative consequences of his trade wars, including the economic damage inflicted on various sectors.… Continue reading
Representative Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, opposes President Trump’s recent tariffs, arguing that past Republican support for protectionist trade policies contributed to the Great Depression. He supports bipartisan Senate legislation, the “Trade Review Act of 2025,” which would require congressional approval for new tariffs and limit the president’s unilateral tariff authority. Bacon will introduce a House companion bill, aiming to restore Congress’s constitutional role in setting trade policy. The bill faces an uphill battle in the House, but has garnered some support from Republican members.
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Following a report in The Sun suggesting King Charles III proposed U.S. associate membership in the Commonwealth, President Trump expressed his enthusiastic support on Truth Social. This potential move, viewed as symbolically strengthening the U.S.-U.K. relationship, could also offer economic advantages by potentially mitigating trade tariffs. While the Commonwealth primarily consists of former British colonies, the U.S.’s participation would be unprecedented given its history.
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Trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada, fueled by political rhetoric and tariffs, are significantly impacting American businesses. This “Buy Canadian” movement has led to sharp declines in U.S. tourism and significant losses for American distilleries, including Brough Brothers Distillery, which lost a major deal with New Brunswick Liquor. Conversely, Canadian grocery sales of domestic products have risen by up to 10 percent. The situation threatens thousands of American jobs and billions of dollars in lost revenue.
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Facing President Trump’s tariff threats, Canada’s Alberta province, the nation’s largest oil producer, presented two scenarios for North American energy cooperation. One involves a strengthened U.S.-Canada energy partnership, increasing oil exports to the U.S. to bolster its global energy dominance and maintain low consumer prices. Alternatively, continued trade conflict could lead Alberta to diversify its oil exports to Asia and Europe, impacting the deeply integrated North American energy market. This diversification is already underway, with active discussions with several countries outside of the U.S. The choice hinges on the resolution of the ongoing trade dispute.
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Incoming Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his willingness to meet with President Trump, contingent on mutual respect for Canadian sovereignty and a commitment to collaborative trade solutions. This follows Trump’s imposition of 25% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, prompting Canada to retaliate with $20.7 billion in counter-tariffs. These actions represent the second round of escalating tariffs, fueled by Trump’s ongoing trade war and annexation threats against Canada. Carney emphasized the importance of renewing the economic partnership between the two countries, despite the current difficulties.
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President Trump’s approval rating on the economy stands at a mere 42 percent, the lowest for a first-term president in recent history, despite his campaign promise to lower prices. This low rating reflects American dissatisfaction with his economic policies, particularly amidst rising inflation and the implementation of tariffs. While his overall approval rating is slightly higher at 45 percent, significant partisan divides exist, with Republicans overwhelmingly approving and Democrats largely disapproving of his performance. Concerns over the economy’s future, coupled with escalating trade tensions, contribute to the current low approval numbers.
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The White House’s claim that Canada “misunderstood” the recent tariff order as a trade war is, frankly, baffling. The president himself stated explicitly that there was nothing Canada or Mexico could do to prevent the tariffs. This hardly suggests a misunderstanding; it sounds more like a deliberate attempt to exert economic pressure. The idea that this isn’t a trade war is simply untrue; it’s a clear declaration of economic conflict.
The White House’s attempt to portray the situation as a simple case of misinterpretation completely ignores the president’s previous statements about annexing Canada through economic means. Such comments are far from subtle hints; they are aggressive assertions of power.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood