WASHINGTON – North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer says it will take some time before we see how effective President Donald Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico and 20 percent tariffs on China will be.
There is also a 10 percent tariff on Canadian energy product imports.
Cramer says it remains to be seen with how China, Canada and Mexico will respond.
“[Canadian Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau, he’s preparing some retaliation, China’s going to retaliate, but, generally speaking, that doesn’t last very long before they come to realize ‘Gee, I’m retaliating… I’m bringing a knife to a gun fight,” Cramer said.
The senator adds it will also be interesting to see how the United States responds to the tariffs. Cramer says the country could bring more manufacturing, energy and pharmaceutical projects to the U.S. and not rely so much on on China.
North Dakota’s junior senator also spoke on the Oval Office meeting devolving into a shouting match between Trump and Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the U.S. funding of Ukraine’s war effort.
“[Zelenskyy] met with some Republicans beforehand. At least one of them coached him on how to respond to Donald Trump, but he evidently didn’t take the coaching very effectively or very well. I do think that whole thing was a bit dramatized maybe by all the parties a little bit. Let’s face it, how often do you have negotiations on live television? I’m pro-Ukraine. I think Vladimir Putin is a thug and he invaded Ukraine and shouldn’t have. It’s not like Zelenskyy has been a Cub Scout. I felt somewhat disrespected by him myself because he never comes to the U.S. without holding his hand out. He never expresses his appreciation. He himself is an entertainer and he’s got a bit of that edge to him. the problem is, he needs us more than we need him,” Cramer said.
