Rep. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.) on Sunday criticized President Trump’s approach to tariffs, saying the “chaos and confusion” caused by his strategy have not helped anyone.
In an interview on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday,” the Rhode Island Democrat urged his GOP colleagues to “speak up” against the tariffs.
“I wish that Republican colleagues in both chambers would speak up and make sure that President Trump hears that the chaos and confusion of this past week has hurt the American people,” Amo said, noting consumer confidence has plummeted amid the back-and-forth in recent weeks.
His call for bipartisan pushback on the president's disruptive trade policies was echoed on Sunday by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
Amo pointed to a remarkable moment this past week, when U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer learned, as he was testifying before Congress on Wednesday, that Trump had announced a 90-day pause on the “reciprocal” higher tariffs, leaving the baseline 10 percent tariff in place.
“So this, you know, boatload of chaos and confusion isn't good for anybody, and, in fact, is erratic and hurts all of the people across this country,” he added.
Amo said tariffs can be a useful tool, but only when used in a strategic way, adding, “What we have seen from President Trump is devoid of strategy.”
“It can help, but when you have a toolbox and you're working on a project, you use your tools wisely, and that's what I would advise. And I hope my Republican colleagues speak up and let President Trump know that it's unacceptable."
Democrats in the Senate are seeking to force a vote on a resolution that would terminate the emergency that Trump declared and reverse Trump’s tariffs of 10 percent on all imported goods and 145 percent on Chinese-made goods.
Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) — both members of the Senate Finance Committee — have co-sponsored a bill that would “reaffirm” the role of Congress in setting and approving trade policy.
Amo said Democrats are united against Trump’s tariffs, even if there is some variation in their support for tariffs generally.
“I don't think there's a disagreement amongst Democrats across what President Trump has done, which is brought forth chaos, wrought more fear, and driven our economy into a ditch, which has been the pattern over these past 80 days.”
