Walker: Trump’s Comments Bring Attention To Tariffs On US Goods

Gov. Scott Walker says that President Donald Trump’s actions at this weekend’s G-7 meeting, including calling the Canadian prime minister dishonest and weak, successfully got the attention of U.S. allies concerning the tariffs on American goods.

Among a litany of comments from the president at the G-7 meeting in Quebec was a call to eliminate all tariffs and trade barriers. But Trump also raised eyebrows by calling for Russia to be readmitted to the group, arriving late to a meeting focused on gender diversity and criticizing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Twitter.

At a press event Monday morning in Eau Claire, Walker praised Trumps call to eliminate all tariffs and said the president’s comments brought attention to tariffs placed on American products, including Wisconsin dairy, by countries like Canada.

“If it gets their attention and gets the focus on the fact that if we just have a level playing field, American workers and American farmers can compete with anyone in the world and I hope that we can eventually get to that,” said Walker.

Despite his own call to eliminate tariffs, Trump defended his decision to place steep tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union and Canada. Walker said those could have negative impact for Wisconsin businesses and consumers and he hopes the Trump administration will change course.

“My hope would be that if they don’t pull back entirely on the tariffs that at least we can get some exemptions for Wisconsin-based companies and farmers,” he said.

Canada and European Union member countries have announced lists of retaliatory tariffs on U.S.-made goods and agricultural products in response to the planned U.S. taxes on imported steel and ultra-thin aluminum.