On Saturday, President Trump signed an order that imposes significant tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. In Virginia, various local lawmakers made statements regarding the legislation.
In our area, U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem., said the following in a post to X:
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Mexican cartels are the world’s leading traffickers of fentanyl, meth, and other drugs.
This bold action by President Trump helps apply pressure on Mexico to fully cooperate with U.S. authorities in the fight against drug traffickers and on border security.
United States Representative Morgan Griffith
His statement echoed one from the White House which went on to criticize the Mexican government for their “alliance” with the cartels, which “endangers our national security and public health.“
According to the latest report available from the United States Sentencing Commission, 86% of fentanyl trafficking offenders and 85% of methamphetamine trafficking offenders in the United States were reported as U.S. citizens in Fiscal Year 2023.
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said the following in a statement regarding the tariffs as well:
“Virginians want lower prices, not higher ones, and the last thing we need are new, senseless taxes on imports from America’s three largest trading partners. During President Trump’s first term, his trade wars hit Virginia hard. Our farmers and foresters were especially affected, but everyone suffered. Everyone, that is, except for Trump’s cronies—billionaires, bitcoin bros, and offshore bandits. Here we go again.”
Senator Tim Kaine
As a result of the tariffs, many Americans are concerned about higher prices of groceries and gas, as well impacts to the auto industry. Many of the top imports the U.S. gets from China are tech-related, such as cell phones and computers.
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., also claimed the tariffs could cost a typical family $1,200 a year, citing a post on X by Brendan Duke, the Senior Director of Economic Policy at the Center for American Progress.
Notably, U.S. Reps. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt and John McGuire, R-Goochland, have not yet commented on the tariffs. Gov. Glenn Youngkin has also not released a statement as of yet. We will update you with more information as it becomes available here.