Why some Democrats are warm to Trump's tariffs
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President Trump's tariffs are rattling the economy and drawing attacks from Democrats. But some key party members are largely backing his approach — arguing that Democrats need their own pro-tariff agenda to win back working-class voters.
- Instead of warning about tariffs hiking prices, they say, Democrats should be talking about how they'd use tariffs more effectively — even if that means using them against allies, including Canada and Mexico.
Why it matters: It's the latest example of Democrats' soul-searching and agenda-tweaking after Trump made inroads among blue-collar workers with promises to use tariffs to boost American manufacturing.
Driving the news: Democrats across the Rust Belt and in several congressional swing districts, along with leaders of historically Democratic unions, have voiced support for many of Trump's tariffs — even if they believe he's haphazardly implementing them.
- Rep. Jared Golden of Maine introduced legislation to put a 10% tariff on all goods coming into the U.S. He told Axios: "The world is changing, and some Democrats haven't quite caught up to that fact."
- Golden, whose largely rural district voted for Trump in 2020 and 2024, added: "I think Trump did identify the problem. In many ways, Democrats are doubling down [on free trade] in reaction to him."
"Some have said that we have really healthy trade with Canada, and I don't agree," Golden added. "I'm not arguing we should embrace tariffs as part of a campaign strategy. I'm arguing we should do it based on the merits of the policy and what is good for working-class Americans."
- The United Auto Workers union, which endorsed then-President Biden last year, said this month: "We are glad to see an American president take aggressive action on ending the free trade disaster that has dropped like a bomb on the working class."
Faiz Shakir, a close adviser to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) who ran his 2020 presidential campaign, told Axios: "I disagree with the Democrats who live in the framework that we just need cheap goods from China and Mexico, and their message is: 'Washing machines and avocados are going to get more expensive.'"
- Shakir said he believed Trump was implementing tariffs poorly, but added: "There's a desire for tariffs for a reason. Voters hear that Trump is making these corporations pay a price for shipping jobs overseas."
Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) has criticized Trump's "chaotic" implementation of tariffs, but argued that "the answer isn't to condemn tariffs across the board."
- "Democrats need to break free from the wrong-for-decades zombie horde of neoliberal economists who think tariffs are always bad," he wrote in a New York Times op-ed.
Between the lines: Many other Democrats have tried to find a middle ground — avoiding a reflexively anti-tariff stance while criticizing Trump's tariffs against U.S. allies.
- Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) told Axios in a text message that Trump's "blanket tariffs — especially against Canada and Mexico — have hurt farmers who import feed for cattle, have increased grocery prices, and have hurt many small business owners, convenience stores and restaurants."
- "I am for strategic tariffs against China as part of smart industrial policy," he added. "Not blanket tariffs on our allies and food and farm items."
The other side: Some Democrats think Trump's tariffs are bad policy and will create even higher prices after years of relatively high inflation.
- Some Democrats believe Trump, who promised to lower prices, is making himself politically vulnerable with his new tariffs.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who's weighing a 2028 presidential run, tweeted: "The president should be focused on making life easier for American families, not harder. A trade war with Canada and Mexico will do the exact opposite, raising prices at the grocery store, gas pump and more."
- Larry Summers, a top economic adviser for Presidents Clinton and Obama, said the tariffs could move the U.S. toward stagflation — a scenario with high inflation and unemployment plus anemic economic growth.
- "These policies are a major penalty to U.S. consumers that reduce the real income of middle-class families," he told The Free Press.
Flashback: The parties are in a historic muddle when it comes to trade and tariffs.
- Democrats used to be more skeptical of free trade, but Clinton and Obama were largely supportive of free trade deals like NAFTA.
- Republicans were mostly unified behind free trade deals, but now are largely acquiescing to Trump's agenda.
Trump, long critical of free trade deals, made tariffs and protectionism a centerpiece of his campaigns in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
- That's partly why the Biden administration kept in place some of Trump's tariffs — while arguing it was applying pressure in more targeted and strategic ways.
