Rand Paul denounces tariffs

How are things going politically for Republicans? Well, you currently have Rand Paul and Tim Kaine doing a joint appearance on Fox calling Trump’s tariffs insane. pic.twitter.com/C0pkVg9IIv

— Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) April 2, 2025

The Hill is reporting that "Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Wednesday that it is a “fallacy” to think tariffs will help the country’s economy as President Trump gears up to impose massive reciprocal tariffs on U.S. trading partners. Paul, who has spoken out against tariffs previously, joined The Hill’s Rising on Wednesday, where he discussed his disagreement with tariffs, calling them a tax.”

“On tariffs, I think it’s just economically — it’s a fallacy to think that it’ll help the country,” the Kentucky senator said. “Tariffs are a tax, and if you tax trade or if you tax anything, you’ll get less of it.” Exactly. Tariffs are the new Carbon tax. 

The Independent is reporting that "Republican Senator Rand Paul has warned his party that tariffs have decimated politics after he voted against President Donald Trump’s duties on Canadian imports yesterday. Sen. Paul of Kentucky told Fox News that tariffs have historically brought down his party."

“'When McKinley put tariffs on in 1890, they lost 50 percent of their seats… When Smoot-Hawley put their tariffs In the early 1930s, we lost the House and Senate for 60 years,' Sen. Paul said. 'So not only bad economically, they are bad politically.'”

"After Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs slapped 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports and a minimum 10 percent duty on all countries, the Kentucky senator crafted the opposition resolution with Democrat Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia."

"Four Republicans, including Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, and Susan Collins of Maine, joined every Democratic senator in voting against Canadian duties."

"In a 51-48 vote, they rejected Trump's declaration of a national emergency earlier this year to justify tariffs on Canadian imports. In a rare move, Sen. Paul and Sen. Kaine, who ran as vice presidential candidate against Trump and Mike Pence in 2016, also made a joint appearance on Fox News to explain the impact on Americans and why their resolution is important."