Overview

• President Trump’s unilateral tariffs have destabilized the economy, raising prices and creating uncertainty for businesses and consumers.
• Democrats are divided between supporting targeted tariffs to boost manufacturing and advocating for a complete shift to global trade peace strategies.
• Rust Belt leaders like Governor Josh Shapiro oppose Trump’s tariffs, citing harm to farmers and consumers, while Governor Gretchen Whitmer takes a more cautious stance, acknowledging tariffs’ potential benefits if used strategically.
• Past trade agreements like NAFTA and the TPP have left lasting impacts on blue-collar communities, fueling skepticism of globalization within the Democratic Party.
• Proponents of 'trade peace' argue for restoring economic stability through global agreements and stripping unilateral tariff powers from the presidency.