Gov. Scott Walker released a statement today pleading with Trump not to impose his proposed steel and aluminium tariffs:
Governor Scott Walker released the following statement today in response to President Trump’s call for tariffs on steel and aluminum:
“If the President wants to protect good-paying, family-supporting jobs in America, especially here in Wisconsin, then he should reconsider the administration’s position on these tariffs, particularly on ultra-thin aluminum. As I described to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross last year, there is not a market in America that can support the demand for ultra-thin aluminum for employers here in Wisconsin and across the country.
“Ironically, American companies who will feel the negative impact of the tariffs can actually move their operations to another country, such as Canada, and not face new tariffs on the sale of their products. This scenario would lead to the exact opposite outcome of the administration’s stated objective, which is to protect American jobs.
“With this in mind, I respectfully ask the President and his administration to reconsider their position on these tariffs.”
Walker makes a great point. Just after we lower the corporate tax rate to encourage companies to come back to America, now Trump wants to start a trade war that will give them a reason to leave the US. It’s really schizophrenic economic policy when you think about it.
I hope enough people can convince Trump not to go down this road, but to be honest, he’s been spouting this stuff since the 80s so I have little hope for him reconsidering anything along these lines.