WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – President Donald Trump’s latest round of tariffs are set to take effect Wednesday. While the president’s plans remain unchanged, Republicans in Congress are starting to get more vocal about their concern.
The Trump administration’s top trade representative testified before a Senate committee where he faced tough questions about the president’s plan.
Republican senators hurled criticisms of President Trump’s tariffs at his top trade representative.
“Who pays these high tariffs? In the short and medium term, it will be the consumer,” said Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.).
The GOP members of this Senate committee told U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer they are most concerned the president’s plan does not include any exemptions for industries like farming and manufacturing.
“I hope you and the president are very sensitive about companies going bankrupt by these actions,” said Rep. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).
Greer defended the Trump administration’s actions.
“We’re trying to remedy a situation that’s persisted for many years,” he said.
Greer conceded it will also take time for the U.S. to reap the benefits of the proposed tariffs.
The White House maintains it will be a small price to pay for the jobs the tariffs will eventually create at home.
“It’s America first all the way,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will be on Capitol Hill Wednesday to brief House Republicans on tariffs.