Larson Statement on Trump Tariff Reversal

East Hartford, CT – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01), a member of the House Trade Subcommittee, released the following statement after the Trump Administration announced they would be ending tariffs on certain food products, including beef, tomatoes, coffee, and bananas. 

“After telling us he ‘didn’t want to hear about the affordability,’ I guess the high prices families are facing even broke through to Donald Trump,” said Larson. “Prices aren’t just going up on a select few products. His failed tariff regime means higher costs at the grocery store, pharmacy, and everywhere you shop. If the President and Republicans in Congress are serious about lowering costs, why only end some tariffs? Why not all of them? Congress doesn’t need to wait for a court to step in, or for this president to come to his senses. We have a plan to end this tax on American consumers now. As the bills stack up for working families, Democrats have continued to demand a vote. Republicans can join us to lower costs for their constituents, or they can keep cosigning the President’s unlawful tariffs. Let’s have a vote!” 

As a member of the Trade Subcommittee, Rep. Larson introduced the Prevent Tariff Abuse Act with Reps. Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Don Beyer (VA-08) to block presidents from unilaterally abusing emergency powers to raise prices for working families. He also introduced a bill with Rep. Linda Sanchez (CA-38) to suspend President Trump’s tariffs and require Congress to vote before new tariffs can go into effect.     

Last week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, a case challenging the President’s use of emergency powers to unilaterally impose tariffs. Leading up to oral arguments, Larson and the entire Connecticut House delegation filed a brief with the Court opposing President Trump’s tariffs, which the Yale Budget Lab estimates will raise costs by nearly $2,000/year for the average household.