Republicans worry Trump’s tariffs could harm economy

Republican lawmakers are growing alarmed over signs that President Trump’s expanding trade war is hurting the economy, something they’re hearing from constituents at home who are struggling to adapt to Trump’s zigzagging tariff pronouncements.

GOP lawmakers say they’re hearing from business owners, exporters, farmers and local leaders that Trump’s threat of steep tariffs against Canada, Mexico and Europe are chilling business sentiment in the United States.

Companies feel less confident about expanding operations and hiring new workers, given their uncertainty about the costs of imported goods and the potential loss of foreign markets over the next year.

“The Canadian tariffs will definitely have a detrimental impact on the economy of Maine and on border communities in particular,” said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). “We have for example a major paper mill in Northern Maine right on the border that gets its pulp from Canada.”