Trump’s Economic Approach Draws Concern From Some Republicans
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-08-23 16:17:00 — www.nytimes.com
Trump Claims Beef Tariff Cuts Will Lower Costs as Republicans Voice Concerns
President Trump has defended his recent economic actions, including the announcement that he would lower tariffs for up to 300,000 metric tons of imported ground beef over the next 90 days, claiming this move would push down consumer costs. This policy, however, has drawn sharp criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, who argue that the measure could harm domestic cattle ranchers and fail to address the underlying issues driving up prices.
Republican Representative Ashley Hinson of Iowa, running in a highly competitive Senate race, reiterated her opposition to Trump’s tariff cut, stating that while affordability is important, “this isn’t the way to do that.” She argued that existing import taxes are helping U.S. cattle ranchers restore the nation’s cattle supply, which is currently at a 75-year low.
The president’s trade approach has also come under fire after trade talks with Canada collapsed, triggering a 50 percent tariff on a range of Canadian goods. Senator Susan Collins of Maine warned that these tariffs would increase costs for families and small businesses, as most companies would have no choice but to pass the added expenses onto consumers.
Despite mounting concerns, Trump has maintained his stance, insisting his economic policies are on track to lower prices. Some Republicans, however, have distanced themselves from his approach, with Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana revealing he had advised Trump against the beef tariff cuts for a year.
Democrats have seized on the issue, with Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland accusing Trump of breaking his campaign commitments to keep the U.S. out of foreign wars and to lower prices, saying, “He’s done the opposite.”
As the debate continues, Trump’s claims that his tariff policies will reduce costs face skepticism from both parties, with critics warning that the measures may instead raise prices for American families and strain relationships with key trading partners. The controversy highlights the growing divide within the Republican Party over Trump’s economic leadership as the midterm elections approach.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/23/us/politics/trump-republicans-economy-midterms.html