Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat, acknowledged that President Donald Trump’s tariff strategy is showing signs of success, even as many in his party continue to criticize the trade war approach.
Speaking with Fox News Digital, Fetterman was asked if he believed the Trump administration was winning the trade war. His response: “Absolutely.”
“I’m a huge fan of Bill Maher, and I mean, I think he’s really one of the oracles for my party,” Fetterman said. “He acknowledged that he thought the tariffs would tank the economy, and then admitted they didn’t. So, for me, it seems like the E.U. thing has been going well, and I guess we’ll see how it happens with China.”
Trump is increasing tariffs on Canadian imports from 25% to 35%, effective Friday. The White House said the decision was in response to Canada’s failure to help curb the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the U.S. The move was authorized through an executive order signed Thursday.
In a separate executive action, Trump adjusted reciprocal tariff rates for certain countries, part of a broader strategy to reduce trade deficits and strengthen the U.S. economy. According to the White House, these measures aim to secure “fair, balanced and reciprocal trade relationships.”
Earlier this year, Trump introduced a 10% universal tariff, with additional rates for countries running large trade surpluses with the U.S. Those tariffs went into effect on April 9. Since then, Trump has negotiated several international trade agreements.
The U.S. reached a deal with the European Union in which the EU committed to purchasing $750 billion in American energy and investing $600 billion in the U.S. economy by 2028. In return, the EU accepted a 15% tariff. A similar agreement was struck with Japan, which pledged $550 billion in U.S. investments and expanded access to its markets for American exports, also under a 15% baseline tariff.
Still, top Democrats remain skeptical.
Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island warned that, despite short-term revenue gains, long-term consequences are looming. “Within a few weeks or months, you’ll start seeing significant increases in most things you buy,” Reed predicted. “You will also see disruption across industries that rely on imported goods.”
Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland argued that Trump’s across-the-board tariffs operate “like a national sales tax,” and will increasingly hurt consumers. He added, “This is the president who said he was going to reduce prices. Instead, prices will rise — and continue rising.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts voiced concern over America’s reliability as a trading partner. “Trump may beat his chest about 15% or 25% tariffs, but our trading partners are now looking elsewhere. That’s not good for any of us,” she said.
Warren also linked the tariffs to the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates. “Jerome Powell said last month he would have cut rates in February if it hadn’t been for the chaos Trump created over trade,” she said. “That chaos has led to higher borrowing costs for American families — more on credit cards, car loans, and mortgages.”
Republicans, meanwhile, are standing firmly behind the president’s approach.
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas told Fox News Digital, “I think it’s exactly the right approach. It’s what I’ve been urging the president to do, and the successes he’s winning are big wins for America.”
Responding to Democratic criticisms, Cruz added with sarcasm, “I’m shocked, shocked that Democrats are rooting for the economy to do badly under President Trump. It’d be nice if some of them could set aside their hatred and work with us on jobs and workers.”
Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana agreed that the tariffs have been successful, but said the end goal should be reciprocal zero tariffs between the U.S. and its trading partners.
“Clearly, the president got a good deal. The Europeans caved — 15% tariffs on them, zero on us, and major investments in our economy,” Kennedy said. “But what I liked most is that a bunch of goods will now be tariff-free on both sides. That’s reciprocity. Ideally, that’s zero on both ends.”
“That’s what I would like us to achieve in all the trade deals,” Kennedy added. “Let the free enterprise system work. May the best product at the best price win. That would be the perfect situation.”
