Olszewski Issues Statement on Broadest Import Taxes in Decades

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Johnny Olszewski today issued the following statement following President Trump’s announcement of immediate 10 percent tariffs on all imports as well as additional taxes for scores of countries.

“At a time when leaders should be laser focused on lowering costs for struggling American families, President Trump just announced what could be the largest peacetime tax increase in American history.

In fact, 89 days into this Congress, we have not taken a single vote on a bill or policy to lower costs. The President and his extreme conservative enablers seem intent on doing the exact opposite. The Trump tariffs will cost the average family thousands of dollars more annually, inflict great harm to our economy and alienate American allies around the world. 

Consumers will not be the only ones hurt by these irrational tariffs. The 25 percent tax on foreign cars, in particular, could devastate the Port of Baltimore, which supports nearly 140,000 jobs ranging from longshoremen to truck drivers. The Port, only recently reopened after the collapse of the Key Bridge, is the nation’s top importer of foreign-made vehicles. The hardworking Marylanders who rely on the Port, along with factory workers and farmers around the country, are all at risk of losing their livelihoods.

Article I of the Constitution delegates authority over U.S. trade to Congress. I will be supporting legislative efforts to end these tariffs, and urge my colleagues to take a strong stand against this manufactured global trade war on behalf of the working families who elected them to office.”