Will Tariffs BOOST Jobs or BACKFIRE?

Rep. Beth Van Duyne is calling for expanded tariffs to revive American manufacturing, echoing Trump-era trade strategies and sparking renewed debate over global economic risks.

At a Glance

• Rep. Beth Van Duyne backs expanding tariffs to protect U.S. manufacturers.
• Her stance mirrors Donald Trump’s push for aggressive trade rebalancing.
• Critics warn of global retaliation and economic fallout.
• Lawmakers are sharply divided on tariffs’ long-term impact.
• Supporters say tariffs are vital to U.S. industrial competitiveness.

Republican Support for Tariffs

In a recent interview with Newsmax, Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) strongly endorsed former President Donald Trump’s call for increased tariffs across a broader spectrum of imported goods. Van Duyne, emphasizing the need to defend American manufacturing, argued that the U.S. must counteract the influx of low-cost imports by expanding current tariffs beyond aluminum, steel, and automobiles.

“We just want to make sure that it’s a fair trade, that our U.S. producers are getting the same kind of treatment as our foreign producers,” she said, aligning herself with Trump’s economic strategy aimed at correcting global trade imbalances.

Van Duyne pointed to trade deficits and job losses as justification for tariffs, stating the U.S. collected $79 billion in tariffs while consumers paid out $360 billion. Her comments reflect a broader push among Republicans to prioritize domestic production and reduce dependency on foreign manufacturing.

House Ways & Means Trade Hearing Insights

The House Ways & Means Trade Subcommittee recently hosted a heated session addressing Trump-era tariff policies and their future under continued Republican leadership. According to Prosperous America, Democrats characterized tariffs as harmful taxes on middle-class families, while Republicans pushed back, portraying them as tools for fair negotiation.

“We believe you need a fair and equal tariff rate,” testified Jonathan Root, a Harley-Davidson executive. “If countries can enter our market with competitor bikes tariffed at zero or the usual 3.5% tariff rate while we have to compete against them in their country at much higher rates, we are not going to like that.”

Cattleman Rob Kirkland also defended tariffs despite acknowledging risks. “We know there will be restrictions on our exports and we understand that there will be retaliatory tariffs,” he said. “We don’t like it, but we understand that for our next generation… we are going to have to go through a little bit of pain.”

The Path Forward for U.S. Trade

As the U.S. considers broader tariff policies, the global response remains a major concern. Financial markets have shown signs of unease; the S&P 500 recently dropped 2% amid fears of retaliatory tariffs and inflationary pressure.

Still, some lawmakers view tariffs as a long-term investment in American industry. Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX) defended the China and steel tariffs imposed under Trump, noting their success in bringing trade partners to the negotiating table. “Global trade does not work when we have an average tariff rate of 3.4% and other countries have twice or three times that rate,” he said.

Supporters argue that a more assertive trade posture is necessary to ensure U.S. economic security and industrial viability. While bipartisan agreement remains elusive, the Republican base continues to rally behind tariffs as a central pillar of their economic policy.

Watch Newsmax’s full coverage of Rep. Van Duyne’s interview for more details.