ICYMI — State Treasurers Unified in Demanding End to Trump’s Trade War and Tariffs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Over the last month, state treasurers from across the country are speaking up in their local papers to reach their constituents and raise the alarm on the Trump administration’s reckless trade war, warning that the tariffs are harming consumers and businesses with higher costs, instability, and a weaker economy. 

In the Colorado Sun, Treasurer Dave Young highlights how Trump’s tariffs on key trading partner Mexico would threaten to drag the state into an economic downturn and “would trigger devastating job losses, inflated prices, reduced state services and economic stagnation — forces that may shatter Colorado’s vibrant economy.”

Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner, in the East Oregonian, recognizes that her constituents are concerned with the cost of living and support crucial programs funded by federal money. She urges the White House to equally recognize the Oregonians' hard work and “to abandon its costly tariff plans, maintain the integrity of the federal payment system, and ensure the uninterrupted flow of funds to Oregon and other states.”

In The Daily Herald, Treasurer Frerich lays out the situation plainly so that the White House gets the message clearly: “do the right thing, call it off and avoid slapping a tax on American families and hurting our workers.” Treasurer Frerich emphasizes Illinois’ rich trading history with Canada and that “Illinois’ economic success, and many of the jobs that help our families put food on the table are tied to Canada.”

Here are key excerpts from State Treasurers across the country and what they are saying about Trump's destructive trade war as it crushes Americans pocketbooks, threatens jobs, and inflicts lasting damage on the economy:

Daily Herald: Tariffs are Trump tax attack on American workers

• “President Trump once again is promising to enact broad tariffs on our key trading partners. He should do the right thing, call it off and avoid slapping a tax on American families and hurting our workers. The early signs are not promising. Consumer sentiment in February nose-dived to its lowest rate since the inflation mania in 2021. Business expansion is slowing due to uncertainty. The stock market is wobbly.”

• “Trump won almost 2.5 million votes in Illinois last fall by promising to fight for working people. But for so many men and women in our state who put their trust in Trump, these tariffs are coming straight for their wallets. It’s a Trump tax, plain and simple. We import more from Canada than does any other state. And we export more to Canada than any other market. Illinois’ economic success, and many of the jobs that help our families put food on the table are tied to Canada. Why is he going after one of our closest allies?”

• “Trump already broke his word on a tariff pause, quickly announcing new tariffs on steel and aluminum. While that might help steel makers like the Granite City Works near St. Louis, prices for automobiles could go up. Also looming is Trump’s reciprocal tariff tax plan that could spark a broader trade war and increase prices for our families even more. Targeted tariffs are sometimes needed to fight back when countries like China don’t play by the rules. Presidents of both parties have used them. But steep across-the-board tariffs on our allies is not a trade policy — it’s a Trump tax.”

East Oregonian: Other Views: Trump administration’s moves threaten Oregonians’ financial stability

• “Tariffs and trade wars are typically outside the purview of state officials. But as Oregon’s state treasurer, I have been alarmed by the Trump administration’s recent actions, which threaten the financial stability and security of many Oregon families. The annual cost of the administration’s suddenly proposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China amount to an expense that nearly half of Oregon households are not prepared to absorb.”

• “The cost of the proposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China would increase costs to the typical American consumer by amounts ranging from $800 to $1,200 per year, according to independent economists. That unanticipated outlay is more than the funds half of Oregonians have available to pay for unexpected expenses.”

• “At a time when the cost of living remains a major source of worry for Oregonians, this price hike is an unnecessary expense families cannot afford. While the administration has paused tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Oregon consumers should not have to worry about having to pay more for groceries, gas, clothes, cars and other items they use each day.”

• “Oregonians work hard and are making strides in saving for school, retirement and other expenses. The last thing Oregon families and communities need is unexpected price hikes and uncertainty about whether the federal programs they depend on will be there for them.”

• “I urge the White House to abandon its costly tariff plans, maintain the integrity of the federal payment system, and ensure the uninterrupted flow of funds to Oregon and other states. Oregonians cannot afford to bear the financial cost of these fiscally reckless actions.”

The Colorado Sun: Opinion: Recent round of tariffs on our neighbors puts Colorado at risk of economic slowdown

• “As Colorado state treasurer, my main job is to safeguard our tax dollars and ensure the long-term economic prosperity of our state. My office carefully manages Colorado’s cash flow and an investment portfolio of approximately $17 billion — a delicate balance that allows us to fund state programs and services while reducing the burden on Colorado’s taxpayers.”

• “This mission requires slow, steady and smart investing. Unlike a private business, we cannot afford to take big losses or “move fast and break things.” But that’s exactly what President Trump is doing by slapping tariffs on Mexico. Left unchecked, this misguided trade policy will have damaging consequences not just for our state, but for the entire country.”

• “At $2.8 billion, Colorado trades more with Mexico, our third-largest trading partner, than the U.S. trades with some countries. Over the past five years alone, we have imported around $1 billion in goods annually from our neighbors to the south. This includes things you use every day — computer and electronic equipment, vehicle parts, household appliances like refrigerators and microwaves and the other essential items that keep our economy humming.”

• “A tariff war would cripple some of our state’s cornerstone industries: agriculture, aerospace and advanced manufacturing. In Greeley, where I’m from, oil and gas, meatpacking and agriculture, will all be impacted. JBS Swift & Company employs about 4,200 workers in Weld County. And oil and gas companies like Halliburton, Chevron (which acquired Noble Energy) and Occidental Petroleum (which acquired Anadarko Petroleum) hire thousands more. In fact, as many as 97,000 jobs are tied to trade with Mexico, putting families at risk.”

• “Everything we do at the Colorado Department of the Treasury is designed to help Coloradans — and the state — remain financially stable and prepared through chaotic times. As state treasurer, I have been proud to put your economic interests first. I wish I could say the same for our president.”

If you’re interested in speaking with Americans for Responsible Growth Executive Director Dave Wallack or a state treasurer about our work, please email Ryan Thomas at press@focalpointstrategygroup.com.