{"id":2423959,"date":"2025-04-15T19:38:57","date_gmt":"2025-04-15T23:38:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mcconnell-trump-should-quit-picking-fights-with-our-allies-on-tariffs-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-04-15T19:40:29","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T23:40:29","slug":"mcconnell-trump-should-quit-picking-fights-with-our-allies-on-tariffs-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mcconnell-trump-should-quit-picking-fights-with-our-allies-on-tariffs-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"McConnell: Trump should \u2018quit picking fights with our allies\u2019 on tariffs &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmcconnell-trump-should-quit-picking-fights-with-our-allies-on-tariffs-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2423959&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senator Mitch McConnell has openly criticized President Donald Trump&#8217;s tariff policies, describing them as detrimental to U.S. relations with allies such as Europe, Canada, and Mexico. During an interview, mcconnell emphasized the importance of the U.S.maintaining its role as a leader among democracies,especially against authoritarian regimes like China and Russia. He expressed concern that ongoing tariffs could strain relationships, urging a halt to hostilities toward allies. McConnell has historically opposed tariffs, labeling them as a form of tax increase, and he has co-sponsored legislation to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">ensure tariffs require congressional approval<\/a> within a designated timeframe. He also questioned the notion of entirely American-made products in today&#8217;s globalized economy, citing how international parts are crucial to many American manufacturing jobs.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">McConnell says Trump should &lsquo;quit picking fights with our allies&rsquo; over tariffs<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2095586\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Sen. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mitch-mcconnell\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Mitch McConnell\">Mitch McConnell<\/a> (R-KY) took his latest swipe Tuesday at President Donald Trump&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3379024\/trump-no-exemptions-from-new-tariffs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"wavering tariff policies\">tariff policies<\/a>, likening his trade war to &ldquo;picking fights&rdquo; with allies including Europe, Canada, and Mexico.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;You have a struggle for influence, both on the commercial side and on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/environment-policies-are-leaving-california-farmers-within-the-dust\/\" title=\"Environment Policies Are Leaving California Farmers Within The Dust\">national security side<\/a>, between authoritarian regimes and democratic regimes,&rdquo; McConnell, the former longtime Senate GOP leader, told Kentucky radio host Terry Meiners, naming China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and &ldquo;Iran&rsquo;s proxies&rdquo; as the authoritarians.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3381456\/chuck-grassley-jeered-at-town-hall-over-deportation-of-kilmar-abrego-garcia-to-el-salvador\/\">Chuck Grassley jeered at town hall over deportation of Maryland man to El Salvador<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3381407\/chuck-schumer-social-security-chief-to-resign-democrats-attack-doge-cuts\/\">Schumer calls for social security chief to resign as Democrats attack DOGE cuts: &#8216;Hatchet man&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3380905\/lankford-trump-administration-oklahoma-students-visas-revoked-without-cause\/\">Lankford warns Trump administration about Oklahoma students having visas revoked without cause<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s important for America, in my opinion, to continue to be the leader of the good guys,&rdquo; he continued. &ldquo;I think that&rsquo;s what we do very well, and I&rsquo;m hopeful that we&rsquo;ll quit picking fights with our allies and understand that people like Vladimir Putin cannot be trusted.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Republican leadership on Capitol Hill has shown no willingness to claw back Congress&rsquo;s tariff authority after Trump imposed a sweeping set of &ldquo;Liberation Day&rdquo; tariffs on April 2 that he later paused for all countries with the exception of China. But McConnell is one of a growing number of GOP senators willing to be openly critical. Earlier this month, he co-sponsored legislation that would sunset any tariff imposed by a president unless it is congressionally approved within 60 days.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is not just a current thing. I&rsquo;ve said for years I&rsquo;m not a fan of tariffs. We&rsquo;ve been into the sort of minor league tariff fights over bourbon,&rdquo; McConnell said, referencing his home state&rsquo;s dominance over the popular liquor. &ldquo;[Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)] and I, for example, typically who have some differences about how to approach things, agree that tariffs are, in fact, a tax increase because that additional cost is passed on.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is seen with a bandaged face and wrist brace following a stumble and fall earlier at lunch, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. (AP Photo\/J. Scott Applewhite)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>McConnell and Paul were among a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3368411\/senate-delivers-trump-liberation-day-rebuke-emergency-tariffs-canada\/\">quartet of Senate Republicans<\/a> who voted with Democrats to roll back Trump&rsquo;s more narrow tariffs against Canada in the Senate, but the legislation will not be taken up by the House. Paul is leading the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3374132\/rand-paul-leads-senate-push-repeal-trump-liberation-day-tariffs\/\">Senate push to repeal<\/a> Trump&rsquo;s &ldquo;Liberation Day&rdquo; tariffs as well after the president sparked a global trade war and market turmoil.<\/p>\n<p>The Trump administration&rsquo;s stated goals for the tariffs have varied, ranging from combatting the flow of fentanyl into the United States to revitalizing domestic manufacturing. Conservative allies, such as Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), have publicly wondered &ldquo;what his end goal is, what he&rsquo;s going to be satisfied with.&rdquo; Republicans, who&rsquo;ve traditionally been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/in-depth-reshoring-us-industry-from-china-requires-defense-driven-innovation-economist-says\/\" title=\"IN-DEPTH: Reshoring US Industry from ... Requires Defense-Driven Innovation, Economist Says\">free trade advocates<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3375956\/republicans-breathe-sigh-of-relief-trump-tariff-retreat\/\">breathed a sigh of relief<\/a> over the recent, 90-day tariff pause.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3369176\/trump-liberation-day-tariffs-what-to-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT TRUMP&rsquo;S &lsquo;LIBERATION DAY&rsquo; TARIFFS: HOW THEY WORK AND WHO THEY HIT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>McConnell also questioned &ldquo;what an entirely American product is&rdquo; in an era of globalization that allows foreign companies to partially build their products in the U.S.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;You take the Toyota, for example: 10,000 jobs in Kentucky. They got parts of those Toyotas from Mexico, from Canada, from Japan itself,&rdquo; McConnell said. &ldquo;So, what&rsquo;s your definition of a &mdash; I&rsquo;m just not a fan of tariffs.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2095586\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2095586\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>McConnell urges Trump to stop &#8220;picking fights&#8221; with allies over tariffs<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2423960,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/mitch-mcconnell-trump-tariffs.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[8066,53089,50406,3634],"class_list":["post-2423959","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-allies","tag-mcconnell-2","tag-tariffs-2","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/mitch-mcconnell-trump-tariffs.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2423959","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2423959"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2423959\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2423963,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2423959\/revisions\/2423963"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2423960"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2423959"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2423959"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2423959"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}