Neil Bradley, the Chamber's Executive Vice President, expressed apprehension regarding the tariffs, stating they are "exactly the wrong move" and emphasizing that they would be borne by American families and businesses without effectively addressing border issues. He urged collaboration between Congress and the President to find solutions.
The Chamber, representing over 3 million businesses, has historically aligned with Republican administrations. However, the escalating trade tensions have prompted a reevaluation of this relationship. In a statement, Chamber President Thomas Donohue remarked, "The administration is threatening to undermine the economic progress it worked so hard to achieve." He advocated for free and fair trade, cautioning that the current approach is misguided.
The tariffs have elicited bipartisan concern. Senator Chuck Grassley co-sponsored bipartisan legislation aimed at restricting unilateral executive tariff actions without congressional approval. Former Senator Pat Toomey warned that rising prices and layoffs could shift public sentiment, potentially leading more GOP lawmakers to oppose the tariffs.
Corporate leaders are also voicing opposition. Executives such as Bahram Akradi of Life Time Group and Farooq Kathwari of Ethan Allen have publicly criticized the tariffs, warning of disruptions to global trade and consumer spending. Even supporters of the administration, including GameStop’s Ryan Cohen and Elon Musk, have expressed dissent, with Musk promoting free trade principles.
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