WATCH: State Treasurers Demand Trump Take Trade War Off the Table, Permanently End Tariff Crisis With Canada

State financial officers say Trump’s tariff chaos will raise costs on everyday goods, hit middle-class families and businesses hard

Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs: “It's hard-working people who will be paying the Trump tax”

Minnesota Auditor Julie Blaha: “Chaos is costly”

Earlier today, in partnership with Americans for Responsible Growth, five financial officers from northern states urged President Donald Trump to permanently end the ongoing tariff crisis with Canada—outlining the devastating impacts on consumers caused by Trump's trade wars. Speakers, including several from states bordering Canada, implored the Trump administration to focus on policies that will actually lower costs for working families instead of raising prices with a new tax on groceries, gas, and other critical goods.

Just days after the Trump administration temporarily paused the planned 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods, State Auditor Julie Blaha (D-Minn.) and State Treasurers Michael Frerichs (D-Ill.), Deborah Goldberg (D-Mass.), Mike Pellicciotti (D-Wash.), and Mike Pieciak (D-Vt.) spoke about the harms to their states and the country if the Trump administration does not permanently end the threat of a foolish trade war with our northern neighbor. 

State Treasurers are listening to constituents in every corner of their state and working to find solutions to ease financial burdens on families, children, and workers. Here’s what they had to say about how Trump’s policies will disproportionately harm those who can least afford it, drive up prices on everyday goods, and risk their states’ economic security:

State Auditor Julie Blaha (D-Minn.):

• “In Minnesota, we know that a trade war with Canada would likely affect Minnesota farmers first, then rapidly spread to everyone else throughout the state, particularly at the gas pump. [...] Minnesotans very quickly understood that these tariffs would have a very quick and very negative effect on our economy.”

• “Chaos is costly. The best thing Trump can do today is to stop this tariff threat and just calm things down.”

State Treasurer Michael Frerichs (D-Ill.):

• “Illinois businesses depend on stability and President Trump's tariff tactics are part of his overall strategy of sowing chaos and creating fear. Let me make clear: tariffs are nothing more than a fancy word for the Trump tax. It's hard-working people who will be paying the Trump tax. Illinois ranks first among all states in imports from Canada, so the people of Illinois will pay the Trump tax on gas and oil and numerous other products.”

• “Even though this Trump tax has been put on hold for 30 days, the uncertainty that it caused has caused problems, continues to have problems, and we don't know where this is going. That's why it's so important we speak out now about how devastating this is to so many of our states.”

State Treasurer and Receiver-General Deborah Goldberg (D-Mass.):

• “Although Massachusetts might not border Canada, it is simply one of our most important trade partners… our electricity costs will skyrocket in Massachusetts should these tariffs go into place again.”

• “Eighty percent of New England's gasoline and diesel comes from Canada, and we also rely on [Canada] for lumber and building materials. [...] The costs going up creates even more uncertainty.”

State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti (D-Wash.):

• “Trade relationships are fragile. You can't threaten to beat up your neighbor and then pretend everything's fine the next day. This is something that will continue to hit people at the pocketbook, and especially when they pick up their groceries.”

• “In Washington State, it is going to become more expensive for [local businesses] to operate, and there will be a situation where it is much more difficult for them to form the partnerships they need to continue to have with nations like Canada because of this ongoing private trade war.”

State Treasurer Mike Pieciak (D-Vt.):

• “The threat of tariffs has caused great uncertainty—that uncertainty is being felt by our Vermont residents and is being felt by our businesses. It's bad for our economy, and if the tariffs go into place again, it's a cost that Vermonters just can't afford to pay. Sixty-seven per cent of our goods being imported from Canada means a real-life impact on people's pocketbooks, which means that groceries, gas, and energy are all going to cost more for Vermonters.”

• “We're happy that the tariffs were not implemented, but simply pausing them is not enough. We need to have this concept of a trade war off the table, so that Vermonters can get back to business.”

To book an interview with Americans for Responsible Growth Executive Director Dave Wallack or connect with the press teams for a state treasurer or auditor who joined today’s press call, please email Ryan Thomas at press@focalpointstrategygroup.com.