Sen. Rand Paul discusses tariffs and relationship with Canada

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. –  Tariffs are still on everyone’s mind, from the business owner to the consumer, and Sen. Rand Paul is still critical of President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Last Wednesday, Paul would introduce a resolution against the tariffs to the Senate, which failed and received a split 49 to 49 vote. And while the senator says the vote failed, it did succeed in some ways as Trump would scale back a few tariffs, specifically with China and India.

However, here in Kentucky, Paul says no matter where he goes, Kentucky businesses owners are feeling the pinch and voicing their displeasure of the tariffs to him.

“I can tell you, as I’ve traveled around Kentucky, I have not had a business interest come up to me and say they want the tariffs. Virtually every business interest has come to me. Car manufacturers, farmers, bourbon industry, home manufacturers, real estate agents, the people who ship cargo around the world. All these people have come to me and said they don’t want the tariffs. It’ll hurt their business. So I hope that the president will back off on this. I support President Trump on so many things. This is just one area where I wish you would do a little bit less of the tariffs,” Paul said.

Canada, one of America’s closest allies and trading partners, would also express its displeasure, not just over tariffs but Trump’s rhetoric as well.

Canada’s newest prime minister, Mark Carney, says the old relationship with America is over. Paul says he understands the Canadian’s frustration with the president’s comments but says the relationship with Canada hasn’t changed forever due to how close the two countries are when it comes to trade.

“I don’t think that insult makes our relations change forever. But I think our relations need to improve. But we need to acknowledge that if we could, then trade is a good thing. If we cut off, trade with, with, with Canada. They’re our biggest supplier of, aluminum. They may be our biggest supplier of steel. Between Canada, Mexico, they’re number one and two. I think China is three or four because everybody thinks of importing stuff, though,” Paul said of America’s relationship with Canada.

Carney is scheduled to meet with President Trump at the White House Tuesday and discuss their future relationship as Carney settles in as Canada’s new prime minister.