Shaheen Statement on President Trump’s “Trade Deal” with UK

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a top member of the U.S. Senate Small Business Committee, released the following statement in response to President Trump’s announcement of a trade deal with the UK:

“This is one step forward after taking five steps back. Even after President Trump’s so-called ‘comprehensive’ deal is finalized, we will still have dramatically higher tariffs on the United Kingdom than we did at the beginning of this trade war, and American families and exporters will pay the cost.

“I agree with the President that we should be looking for ways to ensure fair access for American businesses where real barriers exist – but it is clear that his destructive and chaotic trade war is doing nothing to accomplish this for American families and businesses. Instead, we have higher prices, exporters and manufacturers who are reeling from increasing costs and laying off staff, defense supply chains disrupted and enormous diplomatic damage that is driving our allies into China’s arms.

“While I’m glad the administration is now recognizing the need to undo some of the harm it has done, Americans are still paying a new 10 percent tax on goods. This does nothing to address the arbitrary and self-imposed trade barriers we’ve placed on nearly 200 other countries. It’s high time this administration stop using tariffs to coerce our allies and partners to the negotiating table before it inflicts long term damage on our economy.”

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