Portland, OR – One year ago today, Donald Trump declared April 2nd “Liberation Day” and raised tariffs on nearly every country to at least 10%, unleashing a reckless trade war that plunged Oregon’s economy into chaos.
Trump claimed the tariffs would usher in “a golden age,” but instead Oregon has paid over $1.7 billion in tariffs and working families across Oregon have paid $845 more for basic essentials due to Trump’s inflation. The impact has also been devastating on small businesses – around 97% of U.S. importers are small businesses, and the added expenses have forced many to layoff staff, make difficult cuts, or close their doors altogether.
While Trump’s chaotic tariffs raised the cost of living for Oregon families and small businesses who were already struggling to get by – not a single Republican candidate for Governor spoke out against these cost-raising policies.
“As Trump spends his time golfing in Florida, working families across Oregon are paying the price for his disastrous trade war,” said Democratic Party of Oregon Chair Nathan Soltz. “Oregonians are paying more for basic essentials like gas and groceries because of Donald Trump – yet Oregon Republicans running for governor continue to rubber-stamp his failed economic policies. Oregon Democrats won’t stop fighting to lower costs for working families.”
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