Fetterman optimistic about Trump’s tariffs after criticism
Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has expressed optimism about President Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade negotiations, breaking with most Democrats who generally oppose Trump’s trade policies. Fetterman praised recent trade deals,including a significant agreement with the European Union featuring favorable terms for the U.S., such as 15% tariffs on EU exports and significant EU investments and energy purchases. He also noted progress in talks with China. While othre Democrats, like Senator Elizabeth Warren, warn that these tariffs could harm long-term trade relationships, fetterman acknowledged that the tariffs have not damaged the economy as some predicted. Over the past year, Fetterman has shown a willingness too cross party lines and commend Trump on certain issues, despite running against him in 2024. Republicans have largely supported Trump’s approach, calling for bipartisan cooperation to help American workers. The U.S. has secured eight trade deals with various countries and regions but continues negotiations with others like Canada, Australia, and India.
Fetterman optimistic about Trump’s tariffs after criticism
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) broke with his party in defending President Donald Trump‘s handling of tariffs and trade deals.
On Saturday, Fetterman answered, “Absolutely,” when asked by Fox News if he believed Trump was winning the trade war. He cited the successful trade deal with the European Union, struck this week, and progress in negotiations with China.
“I’m a huge fan of Bill Maher, and I mean, I think he’s really one of the oracles for my party, and he acknowledged it, it’s like, hey, he thought that the tariffs were going to tank the economy, and then he acknowledged that it didn’t,” Fetterman said.
The U.S.-EU trade deal included 15% tariffs levied on nearly all EU exports, in addition to the EU investing $600 billion in the U.S. above current levels. The EU will also purchase $750 billion of U.S. energy. The deal was viewed with shock by many European figures due to the highly favorable terms reached by the U.S., with one ambassador telling the Financial Times that, “Trump worked out exactly where our pain threshold is” in negotiations.
Fetterman’s praise for Trump over his handling of trade is solitary among Democrats, who have put up a united front in opposing nearly every part of Trump’s agenda. Senate Democrats waved off the seemingly positive trade deals, arguing that pain would be felt further down the road.
“Donald Trump may beat his chest and say, ‘Man, I made him take a 15% tariff or 25% tariff,’ but also understand that every one of those trading partners is now looking hard all around the rest of the world to find other customers, because Donald Trump is signaling loud and clear that the United States under Donald Trump is not a reliable trading partner. And that’s not good for any of us,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said.
Fetterman has increasingly reached across the aisle over the past year, being one of the few Democrats open to praising Trump on certain topics, despite campaigning against him in 2024. He dined with Trump at Mar-a-Lago shortly after his victory in the election.
Congressional Republicans have largely voiced support for Trump’s trade strategy.
“It’d be nice if some Democrats would put their partisan hatred for Trump aside and actually start working together for American workers and American jobs. Unfortunately, I don’t see a whole lot of Democrats interested in doing that right now,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) told Fox News.
Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcement in April first triggered near-unprecedented panic in the markets, pushing him to delay their implementation until deals could be worked out.
TRADE NEGOTIATIONS ENTER NEW PHASE AS TRUMP STANDS BY TARIFF HIKES
The U.S. has struck eight trade deals so far, one of which was with the 27-nation European Union. The others were reached with the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and China.
Among the U.S.’s key trading partners that haven’t yet reached a deal are Canada, Australia, and India.
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