In a bold move crossing party lines, Democratic Representative Jared Golden from Maine has shown support for President Donald Trump's new tariff measures.
According to Fox News, President Trump recently declared new tariffs on all U.S. imports, a policy that Rep. Golden is prepared to support, recognizing its potential to rebuild American industries.
The announcement made by President Trump on April 2, 2025, marked a significant shift in U.S. trade policy. The President described this day as "the day American industry was reborn," setting a baseline 10% tariff on all imports and higher tariffs on certain countries.
Rep. Jared Golden, previously known within his party for his unique stances, proposed a similar measure in his BUILT USA Act. He believes that Trump’s plans could serve as a foundation for a more equitable trade system.
Highlighting his cautious optimism, Rep. Golden stated, "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." He added that such a measure is the first step towards rectifying the country's unsustainable trade deficits.
Despite his preliminary support, Rep. Golden emphasized the importance of developing additional policies. These should boost American families and support unions and trades while reducing production regulations. This strategic combination, he argues, is essential for true national benefit.
Not all Democrats share Golden’s views. Rep. Debbie Dingell from Michigan expressed concerns about the sudden and broad application of the tariffs. She feared that without strategic planning, these tariffs could lead to chaos.
Furthermore, Rep. Gregory Meeks from New York announced plans to challenge the tariffs through a privileged resolution. He criticizes the justification for the tariffs as a blatant misuse of national emergency claims, pressing his fellow Republicans to take a definitive stand on this issue.
Rep. Golden, undeterred by these criticisms, expressed his willingness to work with the President. This cooperation aims at instituting the 10% tariff through federal law, hoping to attract some bipartisan support despite potential resistance from within both parties.
Here’s what Rep. Golden shared about his position on Trump’s broader tariff strategy:
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. We need to make sure that the new approach benefits working people — that means supporting unions, the trades and apprenticeship programs, cutting regulations that hold back production, unleashing American energy and using tariff revenue to support domestic manufacturers that create good-paying jobs for Americans. Tariffs are a first step in rewriting a rigged trade system, but they cannot be the last one.
The tariffs introduced also encompass reciprocal actions against countries imposing tariffs on U.S. exports. This measure aims to equalize trade relations and pressure other nations to reconsider their tariffs on U.S. goods.
President Trump’s strong emphasis on revamping the U.S. economy through these tariffs has sparked a major debate across the political spectrum. His vision declares a rebirth of the American industrial sector and a stride toward reclaiming the nation's economic destiny.
While the discussion continues and political lines are tested, Rep. Jared Golden stands as a notable exception. His readiness to collaborate on this significant economic shift, while ensuring the safeguard of American labor and manufacturing sectors, sets a complex stage for legislative discussions ahead. His stance may encourage other members of his party to reconsider or refine their positions regarding America's trade policies.
