Republicans downplay worries about rising costs due to Trump’s tariffs
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Sunday defended President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico, saying in an interview: "Economically, yes, they will, they will feel pain.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Sunday defended President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico, saying in an interview: "Economically, yes, they will, they will feel pain. They will feel what the consequences are, and we'll be able to continue to go forward with the president, who is strong, who is putting America first."
Noem emphasized the Trump administration's justification for imposing tariffs on the three countries, saying all three have not been cooperative in U.S. efforts to curb the flow of fentanyl into the country.
She dismissed the fact that the amount of fentanyl intercepted at the northern border last year was a small fraction of the amount intercepted at the southern border, according to statistics from Customs and Border Protection.
"What we have sent a message this week on is that we're not just going to enforce our southern border. We're going to put extra resources at that northern border, as well. So Canada needs to come to the table," Noem said in an interview on NBC News' "Meet the Press."
Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., made the same point, telling "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker, "I think these tariffs specifically, Kristen, are meant to bring Canada and Mexico to the table for the fentanyl that is streaming into our communities."
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