Overview

• Beshear described the evolving tariff strategy—shifting from blanket to reciprocal and then targeted levies—as “chaos” that inflates costs for consumers and businesses.
• He reported that Kentucky small businesses are laying off workers due to rising prices on imported raw materials.
• The governor’s criticism reflects bipartisan concern in Kentucky, with Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul also warning of harm to bourbon, auto manufacturing and agriculture.
• On August 1, the administration will impose a 30% reciprocal tariff on imports from Mexico and the European Union after a 90-day, 10% baseline period.
• The White House has informed trade partners of looming reciprocal levies but signaled inconsistent openness to further negotiations before the August 1 deadline.