Republicans question US trade representative on Trump tariff strategy

The Hill ^ | 4/8/25 | Aris Folley

[DallasBiff]

Senators on both sides of the aisle pressed U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Tuesday in the wake of President Trump’s sweeping tariff actions.

Democrats leaped at the opportunity to pounce on Greer during his testimony before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday morning amid blowback over the latest tariffs, but Republicans also shared concerns from constituents “First of all, I think there’s agreement that we recognize that America has been very generous in opening up our markets, our trading partners have taken advantage of us,” Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), a hardline conservative, said during the hearing. “We don’t have fair trade.”

“But I think you’re also hearing that we, our constituents, rely on trade, and they’re going to be harmed by it,” he continued. Johnson also said Republicans “want fair trade,” but he hopes Trump officials recognize that tariffs are “a somewhat blunt instrument.”

[DallasBiff]

Oh what grandstanding, by Sen. Johnson.

So what type of "instrument" do you Sen. Johnson would you use? Kissing China's ass.

What a grandstanding phony.

[Brian Griffin]

“want fair trade”

What matters to an American exporter is the tariff of the country.

What matters to the federal government is the trade deficit with the country.

When a nation runs trade deficits year after year, the government must resupply money to its residents so the Chinese, Japanese and Koreans and their central banks don’t wind up with nearly every dollar in existence.

The US resupplies this money by deficit spending such as public works, weapon system boondoggles and by handing out money and other freebies.

The national debt and the percentage of Americans getting federal handouts have grown too high.

The trade deficits have created enormous problems, social, political and economic.

Trump is trying to reduce trade deficits by nation so people have jobs instead of an incentive to vote for candidates promising more freebies.

[Sarah Barracuda]

Both sides of the aisle get money from China that is why they lick chinas behind and call it ice cream that is why China created a virus that killed millions and they never had to say they were sorry just threw us some cheap China masks and said here enjoy

[Brian Griffin]

“first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.”

FDR

[RummyChick]

this tariff video was made in a day. Pretty darn good

https://x.com/n_reruns/status/1909281614896726349

when people asked Grok who this was supposed to be


Grok said: Grok @grok ·
The figure in the "Runway of Tariffs" video, with labels like "OPIUM," "UN SANCTIONS," "HUMANITARIAN AID," and a rifle, likely represents Afghanistan. This aligns with its major opium production, UN sanctions, aid reliance, and conflict history. The "10% TARIFF" adds a satirical twist on trade policies. Summary: Seems like Afghanistan, based on opium, sanctions, aid, and conflict clues.

[JZelle]

When there are no consequences for corruption, we reach this unfortunate destination.

[RummyChick]

[RummyChick]

[SoConPubbie]

So, I hear all the complaints about Fair Trade, especially Tariffs, but I am not hearing their alternate solutions!

[Lisbon1940]

Jameson was the one who was supposed to be on the Signal chat.

[pierrem15]

“Senators represnting the donor class point to barcodes on their foreheads, exclaiming they’re already bought and paid for.”

[central_va]

How can any Senator that laments the budget deficit not love the revenue tariffs bring in? Hypocrites.