Trump’s Tariff Threat Puts Vulnerable Senate Republicans in a “Tough Spot”

President Trump’s latest trade war threat – this time to abruptly and unilaterally impose tariffs on Mexico – isn’t just threatening to raise the price of goods back home, hurt consumers and hardworking families, and decimate America’s economy. It’s also rippling across 2020 battleground states and putting vulnerable Republican senators who are running for re-election “on the defensive.”

Here’s why Senate Republicans are “growing anxious” about Trump’s latest reckless trade showdown…

• POLITICO: “The president may have to declare another national emergency — putting Republicans in a tough spot if Congress votes to block it.”
• Washington Post: “…the White House started damage control on Monday, though without showing signs of backpedaling”
• NBC News: Trump says Senate Republicans would be ‘foolish’ to try to block his tariffs on Mexico
• The Hill: GOP divided over how to stop Trump’s trade wars

…and here’s how it’s playing in key 2020 Senate battleground states:

• Arizona – Capitol Media Services: Arizona stands to be the 6th hardest hit state in the country by proposed tariffs
• Arizona – KVOA Tucson: Produce industry worries as Trump threatens Mexico tariffs
• Arizona – KTAR Phoenix: Arizona auto dealer says new tariff on Mexico punishes his industry
• Arizona – Daily Star: Trump hitting Mexico — Arizona’s largest trading partner — with 5% tariff
• Colorado – KUSA Denver: “Mexico is Colorado’s third largest source of imports – accounting for 12% of the stuff we buy”
• Georgia – Fox 5 Atlanta: Georgia could soon feel sticker shock for goods made in Mexico
• Iowa – WHO Des Moines: President Trump Announces Tariffs on Mexico, Iowans Will Feel Fallout
• Michigan – Detroit Free Press: Trump’s Mexico tariffs could cost GM $6.3 billion, Ford $3.3 billion and FCA $4.8 billion
• North Carolina – Charlotte Observer: Editorial: As Trump threatens Americans, guess whose senators are silent?
• Texas – Houston Chronicle: Tariffs on Mexico would cost Texas thousands of jobs, billions to economy: analysis
• Texas – WOAI San Antonio: Mexico trade tariffs draw concern from SA business owners
• Wall Street Journal: U.S. Farmers See More Trouble in Fresh Mexico Tariff Threat
• Bloomberg News: Pork Producers, Corn Growers Urge Trump to Drop Mexico Tariffs

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