MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The Latest on Wisconsin reaction to tariffs (all times local):
3:52 p.m.
Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin is offering a mixed reaction to President Donald Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs widely panned by Republicans.
Baldwin said Thursday that the tariffs send “a strong message to bad actors like China” but also called for Trump to exempt European trading partners and do more to “target China’s cheating.”
Baldwin says the best way to support Wisconsin workers is to enact strong buy-American standards like she’s supported and renegotiate a better deal on the North American Free Trade Agreement.
House Speaker Paul Ryan and U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, both Republicans, criticized Trump’s move and said the tariffs could have unintended consequences like a trade war.
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3:30 p.m.
House Speaker Paul Ryan and U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson are both speaking out against tariffs announced by President Donald Trump.
Both Ryan and Johnson said Thursday they fear the unintended consequences from the steel and aluminum tariffs Trump announced over objections from many fellow Republicans. Trump says he is fulfilling a campaign promise.
Canada and Mexico would be exempt from the tariffs. Ryan says he hopes Trump will continue to narrow the policy to focus only on countries that violate trade law.
Johnson calls the tariffs a “very risky action” that could spark a trade war. He says he expects the action to be challenged in court.
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3:20 p.m.
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, of Wisconsin, is calling President Donald Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs a “very risky action” that could spark a trade war.
Johnson reacted Thursday to Trump’s decision that was drawing widespread criticism among Republicans.
Johnson says the tariffs of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum “can really case very serious unintended consequences.” Johnson says he fears that retaliation could hurt Wisconsin’s agricultural and manufacturing industries, putting jobs at risk.
Johnson says he expects Trump’s proposal, which is to take effect in 15 days, to be challenged in court.
Trump says his tariffs, which exempt Mexico and Canada, fulfill a campaign promise.
Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
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