PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Local officials have released their reactions to the Trump administration’s sweeping new tariff plans. Sen. Jack Reed said that the tariffs would be a costly “national sales tax” paid by American consumers: President Trump’s blanket tariffs will smother economic growth and make goods more expensive for Rhode Islanders. From groceries and clothes to cars and homes, President Trump’s tariffs are contributing to higher prices for everyday Americans. He is stoking uncertainty, inflation, and the cost of living.  And it’s not just families, Rhode Island manufacturers are sure to see a tariff hit on raw materials and parts they need for their operations.  Similar impacts could hit operations at the Port of Davisville. Hardworking families will be left paying the price for Trump’s tariffs when what they really need the White House to do is help lower prices. President Trump’s policies will force Americans to pay more for the same goods and they will have less money to save or spend elsewhere. The U.S. economy is not as strong as it should be because of President Trump’s chaotic, myopic approach to tariffs that punish both U.S. consumers and some of our strongest and most reliable allies. The President needs to step back from the tariff brink and start acting in a more strategic and straightforward manner that will stabilize our economy instead of destabilizing it. Rep. Gabe Amo said that the tariffs would start a “reckless trade war:” Instead of creating jobs, Donald Trump is creating chaos with his reckless trade war. We’re already seeing the effects of his announcement — markets plunging after hours, increased economic turmoil, and allies around the world pledging to retaliate. As analysts struggle to understand the long-term impacts of these tariffs and small businesses prepare themselves for higher operating costs, Trump is forging ahead with a plan that will jack up costs for everyday Americans. The price of these tariffs will be passed onto consumers. They will create uncertainty for workers and further isolate us from our allies to pay for a billionaire tax giveaway. In a social media post, Rep. Seth Magaziner said that tariffs are “mostly paid by the middle class:” Income tax is paid mostly by the rich. Tariffs are paid mostly by the middle class. That is why we moved to the income tax in 1913. And also why Trump is shifting back to tariffs. https://t.co/w3kUwztu4Y — Seth Magaziner (@SethMagaziner) April 2, 2025 Categories: News, Rhode Island ...read more read less