President Donald Trump's latest tariff initiative has garnered unexpected support from a moderate House Democrat representing Maine's 2nd Congressional District.
According to Fox News, Representative Jared Golden expressed his approval of Trump's proposed 10% universal tariff on imports, noting that he had introduced similar legislation earlier this year through his BUILT USA Act.
Golden's stance marks a significant departure from his Democratic colleagues' reactions to Trump's sweeping tariff announcement. The Maine congressman praised the baseline policy and pledged to work with the president to incorporate the measure into federal law, highlighting the potential for bipartisan cooperation on trade reform.
Golden's support stems from his own legislative efforts to implement similar trade policies. His proposed BUILT USA Act earlier this year called for an identical 10% universal tariff on U.S. imports, making him uniquely positioned to appreciate Trump's approach.
In his detailed statement, Golden emphasized the importance of establishing protective measures for American manufacturing. He views the universal tariff as a crucial step toward addressing trade imbalances that have impacted domestic industries.
The Democratic representative believes the proposed tariff structure could help revitalize manufacturing communities that have struggled under existing trade policies. However, he maintains that additional measures are necessary to ensure working families benefit from these changes.
Golden shared his perspective on Trump's tariff plan, stating:
What I can say now is I'm pleased the president is building his tariff agenda on the foundation of a universal 10% tariff like the one I proposed in the BUILT USA Act. This ring fence around the American economy is a good start to erasing our unsustainable trade deficits. I'm eager to work with the president to fix the broken 'free trade' system that made multinational corporations rich but ruined manufacturing communities across the country. But tariffs must be paired with policies that prioritize American families' prosperity.
While expressing support for the basic framework, Golden acknowledged the need to carefully review additional aspects of Trump's plan. He emphasized that tariffs should be part of a comprehensive strategy that includes support for unions, trade programs, and domestic manufacturing initiatives.
Other Democratic lawmakers have taken a more critical stance toward Trump's tariff announcement. Representative Gregory Meeks of New York plans to challenge the national emergency declaration used to justify the universal tariff, while Representative Debbie Dingell of Michigan questioned the rapid implementation of such broad measures.
Golden's willingness to work across party lines reflects his history of breaking with Democratic leadership on key issues. His district, which Trump won by approximately 10% in 2024, has influenced his moderate approach to policy-making.
The congressman expressed optimism about finding like-minded Democrats to support the 10% global tariff legislation. However, he acknowledged that successful passage would require significant effort from Trump's team to secure House Republican backing.
Trump's plan extends beyond the universal tariff, including additional measures that could raise tariffs up to 50% on allies and adversaries. The president has branded April 2, 2025, as "Liberation Day," marking what he describes as the rebirth of American industry.
Representative Jared Golden's endorsement of Trump's universal tariff proposal represents a rare instance of Democratic support for the president's trade agenda. While maintaining certain reservations about implementation and additional measures, Golden sees potential in the baseline 10% tariff policy. The Maine congressman's willingness to collaborate with Trump on codifying the universal tariff into law could pave the way for bipartisan cooperation on trade reform. However, the success of such efforts will depend on building broader support among both Republicans and Democrats in Congress, as well as addressing concerns about the policy's economic impact on American families and businesses.
