FreedomWorks Statement in Response to President Trump’s Tariff Threat Against Mexico

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to President Trump’s threat to impose tariffs as high as 25 percent on imports from Mexico, Adam Brandon, FreedomWorks President, commented:

“We are all in for reforming our immigration system and helping solve the problems we have on the border. A tariff on Mexico is a setback to those efforts. Not only will it harm Americans, but an economically weakened Mexico will result in more illegal immigration northward.

“Tariffs are taxes, plainly and simply. Article I of the Constitution gives the power to levy taxes exclusively to the legislative branch. Unilaterally imposing tariffs would be a usurpation of this authority by President Trump. Tariffs are destructive to the economy and should only be passed after thorough congressional debate, if at all.

“We are already seeing a downturn in the stock market after President Trump’s threat. Going any further would undermine the economic success that our country saw after the historic tax cuts package went into effect last year. Also, with the fate of NAFTA and the USMCA still in doubt, this threat adds more uncertainty to the U.S. market.”