Paul Ryan is trying to talk Trump off the tariffs ledge

(Image credit: Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images)

published 5 March 2018

Paul Ryan has joined the chorus of Republican lawmakers who are skeptical about President Trump's plan for steep tariffs.

The House speaker — whose home state of Wisconsin could be hit hard by proposed retaliatory measures — released a statement Monday saying he is "extremely worried about the consequences" of Trump's planned policy, which would levy a 25 percent tax on steel imports and a 10 percent tax on aluminum imports. Saying Trump's proposal could spark a "trade war," Ryan spokeswoman AshLee Strong said Ryan is "urging the White House to not advance with this plan."

Earlier Monday, Trump tweeted that he might consider exempting Canada and Mexico from his tariffs if they agree to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement. Trump's trade adviser Peter Navarro had insisted Sunday that the U.S. would not exempt allies from the tariffs, even as European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said over the weekend that the European Union could impose steep taxes on American goods in response if Trump does push his tariffs through.