Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) contended that President Donald Trump’s newly announced tariffs are meant to change how countries, such as China and Mexico, treat the United States, and that they will not be permanent so long as this change is enacted.
Trump signed three executive orders implementing wide-ranging tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China on Saturday, prompting the first two countries to order their own retaliatory tariffs against the U.S., with China set to take legal action with the World Trade Organization. Some lawmakers, including Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), have warned that this tariff battle will only raise the cost of living on U.S. residents, though Graham suggested these tariffs are meant to battle the nation’s fentanyl crisis, blaming China and Mexico for how “3,000 Americans die every two weeks” from fentanyl drugs smuggled across the border.
PRICES ON THESE ITEMS COULD BE AFFECTED BY TRUMP TARIFFS ON MEXICO, CANADA
“If you want tariffs to go away, Mexico and China, stop poisoning Americans,” Graham said on Fox News’s Fox News Sunday with Shannon Bream. “Stop sending fentanyl into America to kill Americans. If you want to have a better relationship, Mexico, with the United States, do your part on the other side of the border. To our friends in Canada, I really appreciate what you’re doing on the northern border. I think these tariffs are designed to get these countries to change their behavior. I am glad that we’re pushing back against China and Mexico when it comes to fentanyl poisoning of America. I am glad we’re putting everybody on notice that the old way of doing business is over.”
Graham added that illegal border crossings into the U.S. have dropped by 60% since Trump returned to the White House, and that these tariffs are meant to ensure China and Mexico do not continue mistreating the U.S. The senator also predicted these tariffs will “go away” should these two countries change their treatment.
On the topic of confirming the rest of Trump’s Cabinet nominees, Graham, an anti-abortion lawmaker, was asked if he has any conflict in supporting Robert Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services secretary due to Kennedy’s previous support for abortion access. Graham explained that he believes Kennedy showed a commitment to “President Trump’s pro-life agenda” when he testified in Congress last week.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“He has been radically pro-choice as a person, but I do believe that, as secretary, he will implement a pro-life agenda that will be pushed by President Trump, so I will be a ‘yes,’” Graham said.
Despite his support, Graham warned Kennedy that he would watch “every move he makes” as HHS secretary should he get confirmed. Graham also confirmed that he intends to support former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence, and has previously stated he will support Kash Patel as FBI director.
