Senator Hassan Challenges U.S. Trade Representative on Trump Administration’s Tariffs That Raise Costs for Granite State Families

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan yesterday pushed U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer at a Senate Finance Committee hearing about the ways in which President Trump’s reckless tariffs are raising costs on Granite State families and wreaking havoc on people’s retirement savings.  

To watch Senator Hassan’s hearing questions, click here. 

Senator Hassan began by emphasizing the ways in which President Trump’s tariffs on Canada are negatively impacting New Hampshire business owners: “As you know, Canada is our biggest trading partner... and we are already seeing the impact of these tariffs with our small businesses, especially in our tourism industry, which is being decimated because Canadians are not coming down to New Hampshire the way they usually do.” 

“President Trump’s tariffs have made almost everything that families buy more expensive,” Senator Hassan continued. “The President imposed a 10 percent national sales tax on all imports into our country and an even higher sales tax on imports from more than 50 countries, including our allies like Canada. This is the largest tax increase in over half a century and it’s going to cost the average American family $3,800 a year. Their morning cup of coffee will cost more, so will new shoes for their kids, and so will fresh fruit.” 

Senator Hassan then pressed Ambassador Greer, “So, my question to you, Ambassador, is how much revenue from the President’s national sales tax will be used to give tax breaks to billionaires?” Ambassador Greer did not answer the question. 

Senator Hassan then pushed Ambassador Greer on whether there is a level of inflation at which the Administration would reverse course on these reckless tariffs. Mr. Greer refused to name one, so Senator Hassan clarified, “Let’s just be really clear that the Trump Administration is here today to say that even if inflation hits Americans’ pocketbooks at 10 percent because of these tariffs, that the Trump Administration is still going to go charging ahead.” 

Senator Hassan is standing up for Granite State families and speaking out against President Trump’s reckless and haphazard tariffs. She recently joined the New Hampshire Congressional delegation in urging President Trump to halt tariffs on Canada that would dramatically increase costs for Granite State families. 

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