Durbin Speaks Out Against Trump's Anticipated Tariffs That Will Harm Americans
Durbin also announced his support for Senator Kaine’s resolution to block President Trump’s abuse of emergency powers
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke out against President Trump’s anticipated tariffs he is scheduled to unveil later today. In his remarks, Durbin underscored that the Trump tariffs would not lower prices, as he promised during his campaign, but instead spike prices for Americans. Durbin also announced he will be supporting Senator Tim Kaine’s (D-VA) resolution to block the President’s abuse of emergency powers.
“Since taking office 72 days ago, the Trump Administration has created chaos on our economy. The President campaigned on lowering prices for American families, [but] unfortunately his policies and actions have done the opposite—many families are worse off today than when he was sworn in. In February, egg prices hit a record high in the United States. Just last week, the typical U.S. homeowners’ monthly mortgage payment reached an all-time high. And now, Donald Trump’s ill-conceived, foolish trade war with one of our top allies is the latest example of his continued pain for Americans’ wallets,” said Durbin.
On February 1, the President announced that he was imposing a 10 percent tariff on energy imports from Canada, as well as a 25 percent tariff on all other goods. Unsurprisingly, Canada announced retaliatory tariffs. President Trump cited the International Economy Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) to declare an emergency at our northern border—stating that fentanyl and undocumented migration constituted a national emergency that justified the use of tariffs. IEEPA is intended for use in unusual or extraordinary emergencies related to foreign threats, such as placing sanctions on dictators. President Trump’s Executive Order declaring a so-called “emergency” at the northern border is ostensibly tied to Canada’s failure to prevent illicit drugs from being trafficked across our border, but Canada is openly willing to address this shared challenge.
Durbin said, “Let me be clear: Preventing the trafficking of fentanyl is a bipartisan priority, but the fact remains that less than one percent of fentanyl intercepted at the U.S. border comes from Canada. And Canada has made it clear they are willing to work with us to reduce that amount. The President’s use of IEEPA to attempt to justify these tariffs is a shoddy excuse for him to ram through an unpopular agenda and bully yet another close ally of the United States. He is manufacturing a fake ‘emergency’ as a guise to enact billions of dollars in taxes on American consumers to fund massive tax cuts for his billionaire buddies. That is unacceptable.”
Durbin pointed to the harm that will come to Illinois’ economy as a result of the Trump tariffs, as Illinois relies on Canada and Mexico to purchase the state’s goods and agricultural products. Illinois exports to Canada totaled $20.55 billion in 2023. Illinois ranks fifth among the 50 U.S. states in exports to Canada and first in imports.
“But President Trump recently said he ‘couldn’t care less’ if car makers hike prices in response to his tariffs. He is pushing forward with his plan that economists, experts, and even the White House itself admits is going to be painful for American families… How does unnecessarily tanking our economy, alienating our allies, and taking money out of the wallets of Americans make America great again?”
Durbin then highlighted his support for Kaine’s resolution on the Floor.
Durbin concluded, “Right now, we should be focused on common sense ways to lower prices and fight inflation, we should be taking genuine steps to slow the flow of fentanyl across our borders, we should be working with, and not fighting against, our closest allies like Canada, and these tariffs do none of that. That is why I am supporting Senator Kaine’s resolution to block the President’s abuse of emergency powers. I know Senate Democrats will stand up for American consumers. Can a few Republican colleagues join us? Or will they continue to let Donald Trump and Elon Musk enrich billionaires at the expense of hard-working American families?”
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.
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