Former Vice President Mike Pence has taken a rare step in publicly criticizing Donald Trump’s approach to trade and tariffs, saying he’s concerned about the economic fallout of the president’s strategy. In an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Monday, Pence pointed to the upcoming end of a temporary tariff pause, which he believes could lead to serious consequences for American consumers.
“I do have a concern that when the so-called 90-day pause comes off, that even the administration has conceded that there may be a price shock in the economy, and there may be shortages,” Pence said. His comments reflect growing anxiety among conservative policymakers and economists who worry that Trump’s protectionist policies may backfire.
Despite his criticism, Pence did give Trump some credit for being transparent. “What I will give the president credit for is conceding the fact that his tariff policies will raise the cost of goods for consumers. I appreciate him being forthright about that,” he said. He also cited reports of a possible 35% drop in imports across the Pacific, suggesting that U.S. supply chains may soon feel the strain.
Pence’s remarks come amid a broader internal debate within the Republican Party on how to handle economic policy and global trade and how to position themselves ahead of the 2024 elections.
Leave a Reply